Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates the team's second goal by Lautaro Martinez during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday (local time), in this Getty Images photo. AFP-Yonhap
ATLANTA — Lionel Messi sent in the cross that sent Argentina to the World Cup final after another improbable comeback.
Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Messi fed a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday.
Messi also provided the assist to Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute for the equalizing goal.
At the end of another exhausting match — another match in which Argentina was stretched to the final minutes — Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.
