Lionel Messi & Argentina's World Cup heroics continue: "It's in our blood"
Argentina has advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals after a dramatic extra-time victory against Switzerland. Lionel Messi and his team continue their title defense, setting up a high-stakes match against England.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global sporting event with significant cultural and economic impact on the host nations and participating countries.
Copy URL Share on Facebook Share on X Are Lionel Messi 's Argentina the team of destiny at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ? They keep playing like it, delivering a third straight dramatic knockout-stage victory on Saturday to reach the semifinals.
The defending champions’ 3-1 extra-time quarterfinal win over Switzerland followed their equally grueling Round of 32 ( Cape Verde ) and Round of 16 ( Egypt ) wins that set the stage for Wednesday’s epic semifinal showdown against England in Atlanta.
The winner advances to the July 19 final against either France or Spain at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
“These games have been so close and very good. They’ve been decided by [the team] with the most belief in the end,” said striker José Manuel López, who assisted on Julián Álvarez’s stunning 112th-minute winner. “And in that sense, I think it’s in our blood.
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