Argentina just pulled off another absolute World Cup miracle, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 semifinal win over England on Wednesday, July 15. The defending champions ripped the nets twice in a ridiculous six-minute, 34-second span, securing their spot in the final. It's been wild watching them live on the edge through these knockout rounds, and honestly, nobody could've predicted how precarious things would get.
Messi Is Doing Things No 39-Year-Old Should Be Doing
You want to know Argentina's secret weapon, the guy making all these miracles happen? It's Lionel Messi. Yeah, the dude is 39 years old, practically ancient in soccer years, but his game sense? Over the top. He might be a half a step slower than his prime, sure, but his soccer IQ is off the charts. Messi is not just a goalscorer, he's a dangerous playmaker, plain and simple. He holds the World Cup career record with 21 goals, and get this, he also tops the assists list with 12. That's just unreal production from a guy his age. He's the guy who's still producing those miracles, even when his team looks like they're on the ropes.The Knockout Stage Has Been a Heart Attack
Talk about a stark contrast. Argentina cruised through the Group J title, going 3-0-0 and outscoring opponents 8-1. They absolutely stomped Algeria 3-0, locked down Austria 2-0, and took care of Jordan 3-1. Easy money, right? Then the knockout stage hit, and it became a totally different beast. Just look at the Round of 32 game on July 3 against Cape Verde in Miami Gardens. Few gave the debutantes a chance, but man, did they make Argentina sweat. Messi put Argentina up in the 29th minute, scoring in his ninth consecutive World Cup match, a record. But then Deroy Duarte equalized for Cape Verde in the 59th minute. Into extra time they went! Lisandro Martínez put Argentina back in front in the 92nd minute, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to knot it up again in the 103rd. Argentina literally avoided a penalty-kick shootout because a shot deflected off a Cape Verde center back for the win. Messi even said after that game, "We knew it was going to be a very tough match... We did the hardest part, which was finding the first goal. We thought that from then on, we would start to find our game and be more relaxed, but it was the complete opposite." He knew it was gonna be tough because in a knockout tournament, "nobody gives you anything for free." Tell me about it! Now, after all that drama and somehow finding a way against England, Argentina faces Spain in the final. You know where to find us: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., this Sunday, July 19. Can they pull off one more miracle? You better believe we'll be watching!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.