Atlanta, July 15 -- Argentina captain Lionel Messi has become the first player to record 10 assists in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, taking his overall World Cup assist tally to 12, the most by any player since records began in 1966, according to OptaJoe's X account.

Messi achieved the milestone after providing two assists in Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal win over England.

No other player has registered more than eight assists in World Cup history since 1966.

Messi's first assist in the semifinal match against England came from a short corner routine. Argentina played the corner short to Messi, who quickly laid the ball back to Enzo Fernandez waiting on the edge of the box. Fernandez took a touch before curling a superb ...