Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

Argentina's Lautaro Martínez celebrates scoring their second goal in Fifa World Cup semi-final match against England at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US on 15 July 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Lee Smith

Argentina's late-game DNA: How Scaloni built a team that refuses to lose

Argentina's resilience under Lionel Scaloni has defined their 2026 World Cup knockout run, with late goals and tactical discipline keeping the defending champions on course for another title.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after the match. Photo: REUTERS

Last gasp Argentina's resilience no surprise to captain Messi

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after the match. Photo: REUTERS

'Nobody gives us anything': Messi fires back at critics after dramatic win over England

TBS Collage

Oldest World Cup-winning captains

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Quarter Final - Argentina v Switzerland - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. - July 11, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi.Photo:Reuters

Messi, Bellingham and history collide in Argentina-England semi-final

Illustration: Ashrafun Naher Ananna/TBS Creative

Fifa World Cup 2026: Highest-paid players

Argentina players and fans celebrate as the La Albiceleste qualify for the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after winning the Round of 16 match against Egypt at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, US on July 7, 2026. REUTERS

Messi's record nine-match World Cup scoring streak ends, but history keeps growing

Collage: TBS via Reuters

Fifa's top four teams all storm into World Cup semi-finals for historic first

Photo: Collected

'A machine': Scaloni not surprised by Messi's form at 39

Argentina players and fans celebrate as the La Albiceleste qualify for the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after winning the Round of 16 match against Egypt at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, US on July 7, 2026. REUTERS

'A machine': Scaloni not surprised by Messi's form at 39

Argentina's Lionel Messi is thrown in the air in celebration by teammates after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US on 7 July 2026. Photo: Reuters

Argentina's greatest weapon? A team that never stops believing

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Egypt - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - 7 July, 2026 Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores their third goal. Photo: Reuters

Argentina's comeback, the controversy, and the debate that divided football

The crossed-arms “X” is not an ordinary protest sign. Fifa introduced the “No Racism” gesture in 2024, allowing players, referees and team officials to signal directly when they believe racist abuse has occurred. Photo: Collected

Messi exchange under scanner after Egypt coach's anti-racism gesture in Argentina's controversial win