Atlanta, July 16 -- Lionel Messi has once again rewritten football history. The Argentina captain recorded two assists in the 2-1 semifinal victory over England, taking his total to 12 goal contributions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has surpassed Kylian Mbappe and now trails only Just Fontaine's legendary record of 13, set way back in 1958. No player in the last 68 years had touched this mark in a single World Cup until Messi did it on Wednesday night.

The semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was a night of high drama. England found the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon finished a well-worked move to give the Three Lions a 1-0 lead. For long stretches, it looked like England would end their long wait for anot...