Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final as England suffers 3-0 defeat

Lionel Messi scored and assisted to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over England on Friday, 17 July, securing a place in the World Cup final. The result followed public comments from former Premier League midfielder Joe Cole, who stated earlier this week that England’s defense would "reduce Messi to rubble" during the semifinal clash. Messi breaks England defense The Argentina captain converted a penalty in the 34th minute before providing a solo assist for Julian Alvarez’s second goal. England, seeking their first final appearance since 1966, failed to register a shot on target during the second half. The defeat ends Gareth Southgate’s campaign and marks the third time England has been eliminated at the semifinal stage of a major tournament since 2018. Cole, speaking as a pundit prior to the match, had dismissed the 39-year-old’s current form, suggesting the pace of England's backline would neutralize the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Following the final whistle, Messi now holds the record for the most appearances in World Cup history, surpassing Lothar Matthäus with 26 matches. Semi-final fallout and final preparations This match is timely as it determines the first finalist for the 2026 World Cup, with Argentina now awaiting the winner of the second semifinal. For England, the loss triggers an immediate review of the national team's technical leadership, as Southgate’s contract is nearing its conclusion. Argentina will travel to the final venue on Monday to begin…