The Messi World Cup semifinal against England in Atlanta on Wednesday carries stakes far beyond a spot in Sunday’s final. At 39 years old, Lionel Messi is widely expected to be playing in his last World Cup, meaning a loss in this Messi World Cup semifinal could mark the final international match of his legendary career. Argentina, the defending champions, are chasing a spot in the final after Spain punched its ticket by beating France on Tuesday in Dallas.
What’s on the Line in This Messi World Cup Semifinal
A win in the Messi World Cup semifinal would put Argentina in position to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cup titles, a feat that would cement Messi’s case as the greatest player of his generation even further. Messi has scored eight goals in the tournament so far, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead, and had scored in a record nine consecutive World Cup matches dating back to 2022 before that streak ended in the quarterfinal against Switzerland.
How Argentina Got Here
Argentina’s road to this Messi World Cup semifinal hasn’t been smooth. The team needed extra time to get past Cape Verde, pulled off a miraculous late comeback against Egypt, and then required extra time again to eliminate Switzerland in the quarterfinal. That pattern of close calls has made Argentina difficult to read heading into the Messi World Cup semifinal, with some analysts wondering whether the team can find a more comfortable rhythm against a well-organized England side.
England’s Path to the Final Four
England enters the Messi World Cup semifinal battle-tested after a white-knuckle Round of 16 win over Mexico in a hostile Azteca Stadium, a match they finished a man down after a red card. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have combined for six goals this tournament, tied for the most by any English player in a single World Cup. England will be without defender Jarell Quansah for the Messi World Cup semifinal, as he continues serving a suspension from his red card against Mexico.
Spain Waits in the Final
Whoever wins the Messi World Cup semifinal will face Spain in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain advanced by defeating France, with Kylian Mbappé himself admitting after the match that technical and tactical mistakes let Spain control the game. Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 earlier this week, has said he would love nothing more than to face Messi in the final, even joking about wanting to swap jerseys with him afterward.
Why This Match Means So Much
The emotional weight around this Messi World Cup semifinal comes from the widespread belief that this tournament represents Messi’s farewell to international soccer after two decades representing Argentina. Fans and teammates alike have treated every one of his matches this summer as potentially his last, and a semifinal defeat to England would end that chapter without the storybook ending many hoped for. A win, on the other hand, would give him one final shot at lifting the World Cup trophy for a fourth time, something no player of his era has managed to do twice in a row.
What to Expect
Kickoff for the Messi World Cup semifinal is set for 3 p.m. ET in Atlanta. Given how tightly contested Argentina’s previous three knockout matches have been, extra time is a real possibility once again. Whatever happens, the Messi World Cup semifinal is expected to be one of the most watched matches of the entire tournament, with millions of fans in the United States and around the world tuning in to see whether Messi gets one more chance at World Cup glory.
Sources: npr.org, aljazeera.com, foxsports.com, abcnews.com
