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The 2026 World Cup final has been set as Argentina look to defend their title against Spain. But after four wild comebacks, what was it about Argentina’s decisive performance that sealed their championship place? Their X-factor, Lionel Messi.
Although Messi hasn’t scored since Argentina’s round of 16 win over Egypt, he still managed to set up some of their match-winning goals that took them to the final, including a pair of assists against England in the semi-finals. For FOX Sports’ Stu Holden, he noted that England’s real chance of winning was gone as Messi continued to play a factor.
“I think I said this in the 60th or 65th minute. I said, ‘Uh oh, watch out, England,’ [Messi is] just camped out on the right side of the field,” Holden said on The Herd. “And he’s just waiting for his opportunity to get into this game. There was never even a thought in Messi’s or Argentina’s mind that that game was over. It would never be Messi’s last game.”
(Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
England’s first goal in the 55th minute kept them in the game. But with a second straight World Cup final within reach, Argentina scored twice in the 85th minute and stoppage time to secure their victory.
Alongside their comeback victory over the Three Lions, Argentina’s road to the final was four straight game-winners in stoppage time and extra time, including their 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the round of 16 and their last-16 comeback from 2-0 down, yielding three goals in the last 11 minutes.
Although England’s first goal convinced the fans that victory was in sight, the script was flipped as their style of play turned defensive. Holden stressed that coach Thomas Tuchel’s strategy was never going to work, especially against the defending champions and Messi.
“I think Thomas Tuchel was naive to think they could do that against, not just the defending world champions, but the best player in the world, Lionel Messi,” Holden said. “And then I saw it was a back five and I said ‘Oh my God, we’ve got 30 minutes to go here, what are we doing?’ If Argentina see that your back door is open a little bit, they’re going to kick that door down and they’re in and that’s what they did.”
England’s ‘park the bus’ strategy proved successful against Mexico and Norway, but against the World Cup’s leading goalscorer and assist leader, Messi and Argentina took full advantage.
Argentina are now vying for their second consecutive World Cup victory, having only been down twice in history (Brazil in 1958 and 1962 and Italy in 1934 and 1938). As it prepares to face Spain, who have conceded just one goal in this tournament, how can Argentina exploit a star-studded lineup featuring Marc Cucurella, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal? Messi.
“He crosses the ball to the back post or he beats you on the inside. It’s just so hard to defend,” Holden said of Messi. “There’s always been that X-factor. With the big teams and the championship players, if and when they want to do it, you don’t have a chance. It wasn’t a question of if, it was always going to be a question of when with Messi.”
Argentina and Spain compete for the World Cup title on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
