{"id":1983,"date":"2026-07-12T08:24:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T08:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/?p=1983"},"modified":"2026-07-12T13:27:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T13:27:16","slug":"messis-record-breaking-last-dance-moves-to-semi-finals-as-argentina-chases-historic-repeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/2026\/07\/12\/messis-record-breaking-last-dance-moves-to-semi-finals-as-argentina-chases-historic-repeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Messi\u2019s Record-Breaking \u2018Last Dance\u2019 Moves to Semi-Finals as Argentina Chases Historic Repeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lionel Messi<\/a> stands two matches away from a career-defining bookend as Argentina<\/a> prepares for a semi-final clash against England on July 15. At 39, the Inter Miami forward has transformed this FIFA World Cup<\/a> into a personal record-breaking tour, having already surpassed the long-standing scoring benchmark set by Germany\u2019s Miroslav Klose.<\/p>\n

The quest for back-to-back titles\u2014a feat achieved only by Italy in the 1930s and Brazil in the 1960s\u2014has seen Messi overcome early fitness concerns. Despite a muscle injury sustained during his final domestic appearances with Inter Miami, head coach Lionel Scaloni<\/a> maintained a public stance of confidence. Scaloni told reporters ahead of the tournament that Messi “looked good” in training, emphasizing that the captain remains “fundamental” to the squad’s tactical identity.<\/p>\n

Messi\u2019s impact was immediate, netting a hat-trick in the opening 3-0 victory over Algeria to equal Klose\u2019s record of 16 goals in finals. He subsequently moved clear of the German striker with a brace against Austria. While the veteran forward has shown flashes of mortality\u2014missing penalties against both Austria and Egypt\u2014his goal-scoring consistency has anchored Argentina through a grueling knockout bracket.<\/p>\n

The path to the semi-finals required Argentina to navigate a high-scoring 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 and a tense extra-time win against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. This resilience is supported by a squad that has remained largely intact since the 2022 triumph in Qatar. Scaloni has relied on a midfield engine room featuring Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez<\/a>, while Lautaro Martinez continues to serve as the team\u2019s secondary scoring threat.<\/p>\n

Following an emotional final appearance on home soil in September 2025, Messi\u2019s international career now enters its final act on North American soil. Argentina\u2019s progression to the final four ensures that the eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner will play the maximum number of games possible in his sixth and likely final World Cup appearance.<\/p>\n

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