Lionel Messi Retires from International Soccer

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is bidding adios to international soccer.

In an Instagram post showing a handwritten notebook entry in Spanish, the 39-year-old Argentine soccer star announced he’s retiring from Argentina‘s national team.

And in a footnote at the end, Messi added: “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.

Messi, who played in six FIFA World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

The social media post said: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team…

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

“Let’s go, Argentina!

“*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

The Argentina captain is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer and most capped player. Messi has scored 125 goals in 207 games for the national team.

He’s the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.

When he led Argentina to the World Cup win in 2022, it was the country’s first in 36 years and its third overall.

Before that, Messi played an essential role in ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América and then winning it again in 2024.

He previously announced his international retirement in 2016, having captained Argentina in three consecutive finals and failing to win any of them.

Messi reversed the decision not long after to eventually lead the country to those twin Copa América triumphs and the World Cup victory.

The retirement announcement sparked a wave of reactions.

Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, paid tribute to her husband with an emotional post on Instagram.

“I saw you keep going when things didn’t work out and always try again. And after so many years, I was also lucky enough to see you fulfill your dreams and live some of the happiest days of our lives. You deserved this story and so much more. We love you infinitely”, she wrote in Spanish.

Argentina president Javier Milei wrote on Instagram in Spanish, with the part after the comma in all caps: “Thank you very much, impossible man.”

In a bilingual post, FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Messi “for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined our sport. Your magical talent and humility will be remembered forever.”

The Argentine Football Association wrote on its Spanish and English social media pages: “Thank you for everything, Leo. Thank you for representing Argentina. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality. The legend is yours, forever.”

Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentina and Inter Miami teammate, highlighted on social media, originally in Spanish, “your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustices, and your leadership and character in your dealings with every player.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who made his Argentina debut just two months before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside Messi, saluted his former teammate in Spanish: “Thank you for the way you treated me, for everything you taught me, and for allowing me to share a part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”

Shakira’s Burna Boy-Collaboration “Dai Dai” Still Tops Global Charts

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira’s still bending it like Beckham on the global charts…

The FIFA World Cup may have wrapped nearly a month ago with Spain’s defeat of Argentina in the tournament’s final match, but the 49-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer and Burna Boy’s “Dai Dai (FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026)” is still the biggest song in the world.

The track tops the Billboard Global 200 for a fifth week and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for an eighth frame.

“Dai Dai,” which first led the Global 200 in mid-July, drew 44.1 million streams (down 10% week over week) and sold 6,000 (down 9%) worldwide August 7-13, according to Luminate.

It holds atop Global Excl. U.S., where it first reigned at the beginning of July, with 37.8 million streams (down 10%) and 4,000 sold (down 8%) outside the U.S.

In the U.S., the song continues to gain at multiple radio formats, rising to No. 3 as the Greatest Gainer on Rhythmic Airplay. It topped Latin Airplay for a week in late July.

The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

CF Montréal Signs Alexis Sánchez

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Alexis Sánchez is heading to The City of Saints.

CF Montréal has signed the 37-year-old Chilean forward to a Designated Player contract, the club announced on Tuesday.

Sánchez was most recently with LaLiga side Sevilla, where he scored four goals in 30 matches across all competitions.

He joins Montréal on a contract through next May, which will include the current Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign, as well as the sprint season set to take place in the first half of 2027.

The club retains a one-year option for the 2027-28 campaign, which will be the first under the modified league calendar.

“I am very happy to join CF Montréal and take on this new challenge,” said Sánchez. “I’m grateful to the Club for the confidence they’ve shown in me and I’m eager to put my experience to work so that we can reach our objectives and create memorable moments for our supporters. I’m here to give everything I have for the Club and for this city.”

The move sees Sánchez conclude an 18-year spell in Europe, which saw him play for some of the game’s biggest clubs including River Plate, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Internazionale.

Along the way, Sánchez was part of teams that claimed six league championships and 11 cup titles. In a career that began in his native Chile with Cobreloa in 2005, he has made over 800 appearances in all competitions at club level, scoring over 200 goals.

“The arrival of Alexis Sánchez represents an important step in our sporting project,” said CF Montréal Senior Director Luca Saputo. “Alexis possesses exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football. His personality, leadership and competitive mindset fully align with our club’s identity and ambitions. We are of firm belief that he will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room.”

At international level, Sánchez was a stalwart for Chile, leading La Roja to two Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016, both of which came at the expense of Lionel Messi and Argentina.

In the latter competition, Sánchez was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Sánchez holds Chile’s all-time records for both goals scored (51) and international appearances (168).

Montréal sits second-to-last in MLS’ Eastern Conference, with 16 points from 18 games played. Its next games is at home against DC United on August 15.

Daniela Avanzini & Katseye Group Mates Named to Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Daniela Avanzini has the power…

The 22-year-old Cuban-Venezuelan-American singer and her Katseye group mates have been named emerging talents as part of Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report.

Representing not just the present, but the future of entertainment, the actors, musicians, athletes and content creators are all between the ages of 18-28 and have had breakout years thanks to a special mixture of skill and luck.

Despite the departure of member Manon Bannerman in February, Katseye has soldiered on as one of the premier girl groups in contemporary pop music.

The quintet celebrated a pair of Grammy nominations with a performance during the ceremony, leading into a standout slot at Coachella in April.

“Growing up, we watched so many iconic festival and award show performances that inspired us artistically, so the fact that we got to perform at those venues ourselves was such a pinch-me moment,” says the group, whose doc Katseye: Wild Hearts is hitting theaters August 12.

The group’s Wild EP will be released ahead of a global tour this fall.

Inde Navarrette is getting some love as well…

The 25-year-old half-Mexican American actress isn’t exactly new to Hollywood, but her breakout turn as Nikki in Obsession has proved that landing the right role at the right moment is all it takes to launch an actor into stardom.

“I truly believe in the power of timing,” she says. “Obsession came out at a time when people were starting to believe my generation had lost its love for cinema. Now there’s undeniable proof that younger generations will, in fact, go to the movies.”

Navarrette is circling several leading roles in franchises, and whatever comes next, she’s “excited for the challenge of trying my hand at becoming a chameleon.”

Michols Peña is also featured on the list of young stars to watch.

After starring in the GLAAD Award-winning Bravo series Southern Hospitality, the Afro-Latino reality star is ready to continue telling his story and being out and proud.

“Sharing my story on reality TV wasn’t easy, and there were definitely moments of uncertainty, but seeing how it resonated with so many people made it all worthwhile,” he says. “That [GLAAD] recognition meant so much because it represented something bigger than me and it showed the impact that authentic representation can have.”

Outside of reality TV, Peña is a successful model, describing it as a “creative outlet to continue” expressing and challenging himself.

The last Latino on the list is Lamine Yamal.

At just 19, the Spanish soccer phenom has already achieved what most soccer players spend entire careers chasing. The Barcelona winger became the youngest player to appear and score for Spain before helping his country win the 2024 European Championship at 17.

He’s since emerged as one of his club’s most prolific stars, finishing the 2025-26 LaLiga season with 15 goals and 11 assists and helping lead Spain to a 2026 World Cup victory over defending champions Argentina.

Major deals with Adidas, Beats by Dre, Visa, Konami and American Eagle have cemented his status as one of the world’s most marketable young athletes.

Spain’s Rodri Wins Golden Ball as the FIFA World Cup’s Best Player This Year

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Rodri is celebrating a golden performance at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The 30-year-old Spanish professional footballer, who captains the Spain national team, won the Golden Ball as the World Cup‘s best player this year.

Rodri earned the award for captaining Spain’s run to their second World Cup title. Lionel Messi had to settle for the Silver Ball, with France’s Kylian Mbappé taking the Bronze Ball.

Rodri picked up his award following Spain’s victory over Argentina 1-0 in the championship match on Sunday.

“This group is incredible,” Rodri said. “We are two-time world champions. It’s a tough feat, the hardest one to achieve. And we won it against a team like Argentina.”

Having won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, the Golden Ball completes Rodri’s return to the top of the sport after rupturing his right ACL almost two years ago.

The Manchester City midfielder didn’t have a goal in the tournament, but his passing and controlling the possession are central to the way Spain plays.

He became just the 11th man to win the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and Ballon d’Or.

Ferran Torres Scores FIFA World Cup Championship-Clinching Goal for Spain

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Ferran Torres is celebrating the goal heard ‘round the world, leads Spain to FIFA World Cup championship after hard-fought battle against Argentina.

The 26-year-old Spanish professional footballer’s first goal of this year’s World Cup, unquestionably the goal of his life, gave his country a 1-0 win over now-dethroned champion Argentina in the final on Sunday.

“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.

The goal came with Argentina down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in regulation following a reckless tackle.

Tempers flared then, and flared again after the final whistle with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and players from both sides engaging in what appeared to be some pushing and shoving.

In the end, Spain denied Lionel Messi a second straight title in what he has indicated was his final World Cup match.

Torres, a second-half substitute, pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar in the 106th minute.

From there, the airtight defense that dominated opponents throughout the tournament came through one final time.

Spain, which also won the title in 2010, allowed only one goal in eight matches in this World Cup run, setting a record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.

“I feel pride, to be honest,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who at 65 is now the oldest man to lead a team to a World Cup title. “Accompanying them on this journey is an honor.”

This title, combined with the Women’s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.

While the score indicates the match was close, only one team was in command.

Spain took the game’s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina, desperate for an equalizer, got its first attempt off in the second half of extra time. Spain took nine of the game’s first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champions a shot at going back-to-back.

“Dibu was nothing short of exceptional,” de la Fuente said, referring to Argentina’s keeper by his nickname.

Spain is now unbeaten in its last 38 matches, 29 wins, nine draws, and is the outright holder of the longest such streak by any European men’s team ever. Italy went 37 matches (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 through September 2021, before Spain ended that streak.

And for the last two-plus years, nobody has beaten Spain. Not even Messi. An Argentina team that was the kings of the late-game rally in this tournament had no answer this time.

“We lost the game, and we accept that,” Scaloni said. “That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country. I can tell them that we played our hearts out.”

Messi took a corner kick with about four minutes left before the final whistle and the ball took a fortunate skip toward substitute Giuliano Simeone, who sent it high and over the crossbar, holding his head in disbelief afterward.

“When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous,” Torres said. “At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again.”

After the post-match scuffles, they also paid tribute to the former champions. Spain’s players lined up to form an honor guard of sorts for Argentina’s squad to walk through on its way to the stage for the runner-up medals from U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

It was the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Because there were more matches than any previous World Cup, it was no surprise that there were more goals than all other editions — more than 300, nearly three per match.

Except, of course, when Spain was involved. Spain’s plan was simple and flawless: Hold the ball as much as possible, denying opponents any hint of chances.

It worked, all the way to the end.

Lionel Messi & Argentina Stun England Late in the Game to Reach FIFA World Cup Final

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates are one win away from a FIFA World Cup repeat.

The 39-year-old Argentine soccer superstar helped his team seal a dramatic semifinal comeback against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday with two goals in the closing minutes to clinch a 2-1 win and book a final clash with Spain on Sunday.

The reigning world champions, who won their third title in Qatar four years ago, looked set to be eliminated with England leading well into the dying stages following a second-half goal from Anthony Gordon.

But as so often in this tournament, Argentina responded and Enzo Fernández leveled the score with a stunning shot from 20 yards in the 85th minute.

Messi, who assisted the first goal, again played supplier for the second. His cross to the far post was met by substitute Lautaro Martínez, who headed the winning goal into the net from close range in the second minute of stoppage time.

“We are coming from being the best during these last four years like it or not and say what they want,” Messi said after the game. “Once again we proved it’s no fluke and nobody handed us anything. Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is not for everyone and this group did it.”

Messi now has 10 assists in the World Cup knockout stage, six more than any other player in at least the past 60 years. And he has recorded a goal or assist in 11 straight World Cup games dating to 2022, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.

The one to Martínez, though, could be the most important of his World Cup career should Argentina go on to lift the trophy again.

“This is incredible, it’s truly incredible,” Martínez said. “I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] I was going to score a goal; I told Facu Medina that I was going to come on and win the match.

“We stretched the team and went all-in. We got the goals in the end, and after 3½ years, we’re back in a World Cup final.”

England’s failure to hold onto their lead means the 1966 world champions’ wait for a second World Cup final appearance continues.

“We’re disappointed, we were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,” England coach Thomas Tuchel told the BBC. “We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”

Argentina’s clash with Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be the first World Cup final between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, and the first time the two top teams in the FIFA rankings have contested the final since rankings were introduced in 1992.

It will be Argentina’s seventh World Cup final as they seek their fourth title and to join Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as only the third country to win back-to-back finals.

England will be left to face France in Saturday’s third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Mikel Oyarzabal & Spain Soundly Defeat France to Reach FIFA World Cup Final

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Mikel Oyarzabal has helped kick Spain straight into the FIFA World Cup finals.

The 29-year-old Spanish professional footballer’s first-half penalty goal helped Spain beat France 2-0 in their semifinal clash in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday to make it three wins in a row against their European heavyweight rival having beaten Les Bleus in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and the UEFA Nations League semifinals in 2025.

The win for Luis de la Fuente’s side also ended France’s dream of returning to the World Cup final for a third consecutive tournament — a feat achieved only by West Germany from 1982 to 1990 and Brazil from 1994 to 2002.

A first-half penalty from Oyarzabal and an early second-half strike by Pedro Porro staked Spain to a 2-0 lead as they played a near-perfect match against France to advance to a final against England or Argentina on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“We gave it our all in order just to go through to the final,” Porro said after the game. “We knew that we’re a very tough team, we’re doing things really well. This is our team, it’s not about me.”

Trailing 1-0 at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) after Oyarzabal converted a penalty following a foul on Lamine Yamal in the area, France took another hit when center back William Saliba was forced off because of a back injury in the 30th minute and replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

The European Champions looked like a well-oiled machine as they were strong in possession of the ball and did a great job of limiting the impact of France stars Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

Spain’s metronome throughout the game was central defender Rodri, who made decisive interventions and diffused threats from France, while always being steady on the ball in the middle of the field.

“It was a collective effort of everyone. Today we did best our best performance of the World Cup so far,” Rodri said after the game. “France is a very strong team and can punish you everywhere. But everyone [on Spain] rose to the level.

“I said it before. We are showing the character of being mature in big moments and this was the most important moment to wait for. Because in the big moments [France] will punish you, so the composure was the key.”

Spain were able to tie Italy for the most consecutive games without a loss at 37 and the nation’s second trip to a World Cup final to boot.

“It means a lot, because we have only been [to the final] twice in our history so we want to win the World Cup,” Rodri said. “We need to rest now and see what we can improve because we want to win the next one.”

France will play in the third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, against the loser of Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Argentina.

Julian Alvarez & Lautaro Martinez Lead Argentina to FIFA World Cup Semifinals

Posted on July 11, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez have propelled Argentina into the FIFA World Cup semifinals.

The 26-year-old and 28-year-old world-class forwards for the Argentina national team scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 quarterfinal win over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday, setting up a heavyweight last-four clash against England in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the ‌first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a victory that sparked pandemonium among the sea of sky-blue-and-white supporters and ended Switzerland’s fairytale run.

The Swiss had reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, but fell one match short of an unprecedented semifinal appearance, suffering a major blow when Breel Embolo was sent off for diving in the 72nd minute.

The thriller looked headed for a shootout before Alvarez whipped a gorgeous long-range shot into the top corner in the 112th minute that Gregor Kobel at full-stretch had no chance of saving.

Martinez added a third for the holders nine minutes later when he calmly slotted home the rebound of Thiago Almada‘s shot.

“We’re used to ⁠suffering,” Almada said. “We come from being champions and now being among the top four is not easy at all. We want to chase glory and put Argentina at the very top.”

Alexis Mac Allister had given Argentina the lead in the 10th minute, meeting Messi’s corner at the front post with a flicked header that sailed beyond Kobel and into the far corner. It was the first time Switzerland had trailed in the tournament.

But the Swiss, without injured leading scorer Johan Manzambi, who had three goals and two assists, refused to wilt.

After a largely uneventful first half, the contest burst into life as Switzerland repeatedly tested Emiliano Martinez, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper into a string of sharp saves and jolting the South American supporters into full voice.

An equalizer felt almost inevitable as the Swiss piled on the pressure, and they were rewarded in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodriguez down the left before sliding a right-footed finish through Martinez’s legs.

Ndoye snarled into the nearest television camera as the small section of Swiss fans erupted.

However, Switzerland were reduced to 10 men when Embolo got a second yellow card for simulation. It came after a lengthy VAR review for mistaken ‌identity, with ⁠the referee overturning his initial decision to caution Argentina’s Leandro Paredes.

The call left Swiss coach Murat Yakin livid.

“I know that (FIFA) will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and it is incredibly painful,” he said. “And to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot. Unfortunately, we have to accept it.”

Embolo collapsed in tears and was consoled by teammates as he left the pitch.

“This team has so much passion. Despite the fact we were one man down, we gave it all. I’m extremely proud of everyone,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said.

Argentina responded to Swiss misfortune by pinning them back for long periods. Cheered on by fans who made ⁠Arrowhead Stadium feel more like Buenos Aires than Kansas City, they surged forward as chants of “Vamos, vamos!” echoed around the venue.

Messi, playing in his sixth World Cup at the age of 39, nearly settled the contest in stoppage time with a fierce strike that flashed inches wide of the post.

Switzerland weathered wave after wave of pressure and appeared destined to force a shootout but their resistance was finally broken in the closing moments of ⁠extra time.

“We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team and that gave us a lot of trouble,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni. “Today we had luck on our side because one of their players was sent off. We could have played better but it’s a big achievement to be in the semi-finals.”

The distraught Swiss dropped to their knees, consoling each other, while Argentina’s star-studded ⁠squad lingered on the pitch soaking up the atmosphere as Messi tugged off his shirt and twirled it above his head in front of the Argentina fans.

Wednesday’s semifinal will mark the first time England have faced Messi at a World Cup.

Lionel Messi Helps Lead Argentina into the FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals in Historic Fashion

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi continues making history while leading his team onward at the FIFA World Cup.

The 39-year-old Argentine professional footballer scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match to help Argentina reach the quarterfinals with a stunning late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Egypt were leading the defending champions 2-0 heading into the closing stages before Messi provided an assist for Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and a goal of his own four minutes later to tie the score.

Just when it seemed that extra time was in the cards, Enzo Fernández headed into the net in the second minute of stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It was the first time in World Cup history that a team had won a knockout match in regulation time after trailing by two goals in the 75th minute.

“This is a phenomenal group that never gives up,” Fernández said. “Four years have passed since Qatar, and we’ve come to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

Argentina, who are bidding to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday.

“I’m so emotional,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “What a group of players, brother.”

Egypt looked set to produce a stunning upset after Yasser Ibrahim‘s 15th-minute goal was added to by Mostafa Zico‘s close-range strike on the counterattack in the 67th minute. The record seven-time African champions, who made history by advancing to the round of 16 for the first time, also had a goal ruled out following video review.

Messi missed a chance to equalize in the first half when his penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Messi also hit the post when the score was 1-0.

But he delivered the goods once again late. Messi has scored in a record nine consecutive World Cup matches dating to Argentina’s title run in 2022. Tuesday’s goal marked his 13th in that span.

“Honestly, I’m just so happy we made it through and about the way we did it,” Messi said. “Things got tough at 2-0, so it was incredibly exciting to turn it around once again. We suffered a lot, but that’s the World Cup for you: Every match is playing out the same way; everything is so evenly matched.

“But as always, this group never gives up and keeps trying until the very end.”

Messi’s eight goals at this tournament put him one clear of France‘s Kylian Mbappé and Norway‘s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

His goal also gave Messi a two-goal lead over Mbappé on the World Cup career leaderboard.

“Seeing him get emotional was moving too,” teammate Lautaro Martínez said of Messi’s reaction at full time. “I told him right there on the pitch to enjoy the moment because he deserved it and that we would keep giving our all for ourselves — but above all for him, since this is his last World Cup and he has given us so much.”

For much of the game, it looked as if it would be a painful exit for 39-year-old Messi in his sixth and perhaps final World Cup.

Egypt took a surprising lead in the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of Lisandro Martínez to meet Marwan Attia‘s cross and head the ball into the bottom corner.

Argentina were quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolás Tagliafico in the box moments later. Referee François Letexier pointed to the penalty spot, and Messi stepped up with an expectant crowd waiting for him to score.

Shobeir had other ideas, diving to his left to block the shot for Messi’s second penalty miss of the 2026 tournament after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage.

Despite being the leading career scorer at World Cups, Messi has missed a record four of his eight penalty kicks at the tournament through the years.

After Messi hit the post later in the half, Shobeir pulled off another great save to stop Julián Álvarez from close range.

Egypt thought they had doubled their 1-0 lead in the second half when Zico finished off a sweeping attack. But the wild celebrations were cut short when a foul earlier in the move was confirmed on video review and the goal was disallowed.

The second goal for Egypt came in the 67th from a similar break, and this time Zico’s effort counted. It just ended up not being enough.

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