Messi leads Argentina past England into World Cup final amid controversy

Argentina secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semi-finals on Wednesday, July 15. Lionel Messi provided crucial assists for Enzo Fernández's equalizer in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez's winning goal in the 92nd minute.

Following the match, several Argentinian players celebrated by unfurling a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falkland Islands are Argentinian). This act has prompted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call for a FIFA investigation into a potential breach of rules against political demonstrations.

Concerns over Lionel Messi's fitness, after he sustained a blow to his right eye during the quarter-final win against Switzerland on July 11, were alleviated as he played a full and decisive role in the semi-final. Team doctors had cleared him to play despite visible discomfort in the previous match.

Lionel Messi addressed ongoing debate about officiating, stating, > "It hurts whoever it hurts, and let them say whatever they want. We proved once again on the pitch that nobody gives us anything." He emphasized the team's earned place in the final despite external criticism.

Regarding the Falklands banner, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated, "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are," calling for FIFA to investigate. On social media, fans widely celebrated Argentina's "magical" comeback, with many noting Messi's continued brilliance. However, the semi-final was described as "chippy" with frequent temper flare-ups, reflecting the intense rivalry between the two nations.