Lionel Messi: Argentina didn’t give people a chance to talk about England’s win
Lionel Messi said Argentina denied their critics the chance to “talk bullshit” after the defending champions came from behind to beat England 2-1 and book their place in a second consecutive World Cup final.
After Wednesday’s dramatic semi-final win in Atlanta, Messi admitted there would have been a lot of criticism had Argentina gone down against England, but insisted the team responded in the best possible way to secure another famous win.
“That’s how we Argentines are. We always want more, we always ask for more,” Messi told TYC Sports after the match.
“I think if we had lost against England today there would have been people who would have come and said rubbish. We didn’t give them that chance.”
England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlighting | Message
Argentina then looked for a path to elimination Anthony Gordon fired England into the lead in the second half, but Lionel Scaloni’s side once again displayed the resilience that has become a hallmark of their recent success.
Enzo Fernandez restored parity before Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback seven minutes later, with Messi providing both assists as Argentina moved within a single win of retaining the World Cup.
Messi said it was important to face England victory was made all the sweeter as she insisted Argentina always believed they were football’s best side, even though the occasion carried an extra emotional weight.
“We were lucky to win and go through, especially because of what this game meant,” Messi said.
“We knew we were better than them football-wise.
The Argentina captain acknowledged that meetings between the two nations have historical significance beyond football, but stressed that once the match begins, the focus remains on the sport itself.
“There’s a lot at stake when it’s a game of this magnitude,” Messi said.
“History becomes a part of it. Not that you bring history to the football field, but it still makes it special because of everything it represents.”
Messi added that Argentina understood the importance of playing on one of football’s biggest stages. Lionel Messi has now led Argentina to three FIFA World Cup finals. (Image: Reuters)
“We had to win it,” he said.
The victory sends Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will face Spain, as Lionel Scaloni’s side bid to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup title.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
Jul 16, 2026 06:32 IST