Argentina's victory over England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup continues to generate repercussions around the world. Scaloni's team came back from a tough match in Atlanta and won 2-1 with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, the latter after a decisive assist from Lionel Messi.
While some English media focused on the controversies of the match or Thomas Tuchel's tactics, The Guardian chose to highlight the Rosario player's role as the main reason for tipping the balance in favor of the Albiceleste.
In an editorial titled “Lionel Messi’s inevitable gravity bends another occasion in Argentina’s favour,” columnist Barney Ronay analyzed how the Argentine captain was once again decisive at a key moment.
The influence that grows with the match
According to the British media, for much of the match England managed to control Messi. However, as the minutes went by, his presence became impossible to neutralize. The newspaper described him as a gravitational force that alters the course of matches and even affects the mood of opponents.
This inevitable gravity makes the game end up orbiting around him, even if he doesn't touch the ball in every action. For The Guardian, England ultimately succumbed to that phenomenon that has marked an era in world football.
The article highlights that Messi makes all his teammates perform better. "He brings his own gravitational field, illuminating his teammates with his presence," noted the columnist. He added that every match is special for him because, literally, he has never played one in which he was not present.
The star's decisive moment
When Argentina seemed to run out of ideas, Messi took center stage. He became more involved with the ball, created space, and played a key role in Lautaro Martínez's goal. That ability to show up in the most important moments made the difference.
One of the most powerful phrases in the text states that he was not ready to give up yet. This expression reflects the captain's relevance, who will play in his third World Cup final and continues to resist any secondary role despite the years.
The Guardian's recognition holds special value because it comes from one of the most influential media outlets in the UK, just after a defeat that left England close to returning to a final. The analysis also criticized Tuchel's team for losing intensity after taking the lead and not maintaining the result with substitutions.
In contrast, the national team gained confidence and dominated the final stretch of the match. Beyond the tactical aspect, Messi's emotional weight on his teammates and even on opponents proved crucial in explaining the qualification.
Now, just days before the final against Spain, the Albiceleste arrives with their hopes intact and their star player at a superlative level. Messi continues to demonstrate that his influence transcends statistics and that every time he puts on the light blue and white jersey, the football world revolves around him.
