Argentina are two wins away from becoming the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Three-and-a-half years after lifting football’s most coveted trophy in Qatar, Lionel Messi could be celebrating another World Cup triumph in New Jersey on July 19.Messi has played a starring role in Argentina’s march to the semi-finals. The 39-year-old is the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappé with eight goals, repeatedly producing in the biggest moments to keep the reigning champions on course for another World Cup title.His brilliance has rescued Argentina on more than one occasion, while a handful of contentious refereeing decisions have also gone in their favour.Egypt winger Mostafa Ziko alleged that their round of 16 match against the defending champions was “rigged”, highlighting a number of contentious calls — including one which resulted in a disallowed goal.“The referee wasn’t good, he was unfair,” said an aggrieved Ziko after Egypt’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina, having led 2-0 as late as the 79th minute. “His injustice was clear. He persecuted us from the start of the match.”Manager Hossam Hassan echoed his player’s thoughts: “The cup is directed towards Argentina.”Another controversial incident fell in Argentina’s favour in the quarter-final against Switzerland, when Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for diving. While Embolo undeniably simulated contact when there wasn’t any, the use of VAR to correct a case of “mistaken identity” was divisive.Yet to dismiss their run as a product of luck alone would ignore the deeper reasons they remain just two wins from history.Argentina fans' message to Lionel MessiReuben Pinder and Joe CrisalliThis is a team that has recent experience of going all the way at major tournaments. What’s more, Lionel Scaloni has repeatedly demonstrated his capacity for getting the best out of his players.