Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Story So Far: Every Match That Brought Them This Close to History

Argentina faced Algeria in their Group J opener on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and secured a 3-0 win thanks to Lionel Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick. He scored his opening goal in the 17th minute and added two more in the second half (60th and 76th minutes). (Picture Credit: AP)

In their second Group J match, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on June 22. Messi missed a penalty in the first half of the fixture but still scored two goals to seal the deal for the defending champions. (Picture Credit: AP)

Argentina played their third group-stage match against Jordan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on June 27 and won it by 3-1. Messi came on as a substitute for the South American giants and scored once in the 80th minute. Apart from him, Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez also scored one goal each for Argentina in the first half. (Picture Credit: AP)

Tournament debutants Cape Verde were Argentina’s opponents in the Round of 32, and the defending champions secured a hard-fought 3-2 win at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 3. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina, but Cape Verde pulled one back to level the scores. Defender Lisandro Martinez then scored in the second minute of added extra time, but Cape Verde found the net again to make it 2-2. However, in the second half of extra time, Cape Verde conceded an own goal, which led to their exit from the tournament. (Picture Credit: AP)

In their Round of 16 match against Egypt at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, Argentina were trailing 0-2 until the 78th minute. They then scored three goals in the next 14 minutes to turn the match around and qualify for the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez were the three goalscorers for Argentina in the fixture. (Picture Credit: AP)

Argentina defeated 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the fourth quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026. A goal from Alexis Mac Allister in the first half helped Argentina take a 1-0 lead, but Switzerland scored in the second half to make it 1-1. Then, in the second half of extra time, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored one goal each for the defending champions to help them secure a memorable win. Messi was unable to score in the fixture, but he provided an assist for Mac Allister’s goal. (Picture Credit: AP)

Argentina faced arch-rivals England in the semifinal on July 15 in Atlanta and secured a comeback 2-1 win. Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored two goals in the space of seven minutes, with both goals assisted by Messi, to stun the Three Lions and qualify for the final. (Picture Credit: AP)

Lionel Messi has been Argentina’s top performer in the FIFA World Cup 2026. In seven matches played so far, he has scored eight goals and provided four assists. (Picture Credit: AP)

Messi is leading the Golden Boot race at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and also tops the list of players with the most goal contributions in this year’s tournament. (Picture Credit: AP)

Messi’s Argentina are the only team in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to have won all seven matches played so far. Their final opponents, Spain, have won six of their seven matches (+1 goalless draw with Cape Verde). (Picture Credit: AP)