“It hurts whoever it hurts… We’ve been the best for the last four years, whether people like it or not, no matter what they say. Once again, we’re among the two best in the world, and that shows that everything we’ve done isn’t by chance and nobody gave us anything,” said the Messi in a befitting response to slogans raised by critics.
“FIFA favours Argentina”, “World Cup is rigged”, “FIFA wants Lionel Messi to go far” have been common phrases chanted during matches following Lionel Messi’s studs-up challenge against an Algerian player, and the VAR decisions in games involving Egypt and Switzerland further fuelling the ‘fixing’ accusations on FIFA.
Messi also dedicated the win to the legendary Diego Maradona, who had famously headlined the clash between Argentina and the Three Lions in the World Cup quarter-final 40 years ago.
Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England.
Anthony Gordon scored the opening goal of the match, putting the Three Lions in the lead. This scoreline remained unchanged until the 84th minute before La Albiceleste produced another brilliant comeback. Enzo Fernandez netted the equaliser in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez scored in stoppage time to help Argentina set up a final against Spain. The 39-year-old Messi delivered two sensational late assists for each of the goals scored by Fernandez and Martinez proving he remains the heartbeat of the reigning champions.