Overview
- Messi provided two assists in Argentina's 2-1 comeback win over England in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, which sealed the team's place in the World Cup final.
- Those assists raised his career World Cup knockout total to 17 goal contributions—seven goals and ten assists—across 16 knockout matches, the most in tournament history.
- In the 2026 tournament Messi has eight goals and four assists, giving him the current lead in the Golden Boot race and an opportunity to increase that tally in the final.
- Argentina's seven wins in this World Cup equal Brazil's single-tournament record, and Messi is the first player to captain a side to three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, 2026).
- Kylian Mbappé remains second on the all-time knockout contributions list with 15, and Messi's new lead strengthens his standing as the favorite for the tournament's top individual awards going into the final.