FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi becomes first player with 10 WC knockout assists after Argentina's semifinal win
Atlanta, July 16
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has become the first player to record 10 assists in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, taking his overall World Cup assist tally to 12, the most by any player since records began in 1966, according to OptaJoe's X account.
Messi achieved the milestone after providing two assists in Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal win over England.
No other player has registered more than eight assists in World Cup history since 1966.
Messi's first assist in the semifinal match against England came from a short corner routine. Argentina played the corner short to Messi, who quickly laid the ball back to Enzo Fernandez waiting on the edge of the box. Fernandez took a touch before curling a superb strike past Jordan Pickford from outside the area in the 85th minute.
Messi's second assist came in stoppage time when he beat England's Djed Spence on the right flank and delivered a cross over Jordan Pickford to the far post, where an unmarked Lautaro Martinez headed the ball into an empty net, securing Argentina's 2-1 win to set up a final clash against Spain.
Messi won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning assists.
It was England who took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who finished Morgan Rogers' cross to put the Three Lions ahead. However, Argentina responded with relentless pressure, with Fernandez equalising in the 85th minute a stoppage-time goal by Martinez, who headed home to seal a memorable victory.
Earlier, both teams had played out a tense first half with few clear chances.
Argentina will face Spain in the final on July 19 (local time), while England will meet France in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an Indian football fan, it's bittersweet. We dream of our own world-class players one day. But watching Messi rewrite history—10 knockout assists!—is mesmerizing. He's not just a player; he's a maestro. That pass to Martinez was inch-perfect. Hope Argentina wins the final! 🤞⚽
Messi's vision is just ridiculous. Two assists in one semifinal, and he's still doing it at his age. But credit to England too—they fought hard, and Gordon's goal was quality. Argentina vs Spain final should be a cracker! Who's your pick? 🇦🇷🇪🇸
Great performance by Argentina, but I feel for England fans. They dominated the first half and then just collapsed in the last 10 minutes. Messi's assist numbers are mind-boggling—12 total! Even our cricket legends don't have such stats in their sport. He's a once-in-a-generation talent.
This Messi stat is insane! 10 assists in knockout matches—that's like a superpower. I was watching the match at 3 AM here in India, and that Enzo Fernandez goal had me screaming! The whole country needs to support football more. We have the talent, just not the system. Koi baat nahi, we'll get there! 🙏
Messi is the ultimate team player. He doesn't just score; he creates. That short corner routine was brilliant football IQ. But let's be honest—England's defending on that second goal was shocking. Spence got roasted
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