Argentina reaches the World Cup final with Messi's decisive play

Lionel Messi continues to make history at the 2026 World Cup, proving once again why he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. The Argentine captain's two crucial assists helped secure a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals, propelling Argentina into the final against Spain on June 19, 2026.

This semifinal victory marked a significant moment for Messi, as it ended England's status as one of the few national teams that had remained unbeaten against him. Following this match, only four nations — Romania, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and the Netherlands — have yet to taste defeat at the hands of the legendary forward.

Interestingly, Romania is one of the teams Messi has not managed to defeat. The only encounter between Romania and Argentina with Messi on the field took place on March 5, 2014, ending in a goalless draw. In that match, a young Messi captained Argentina and played the entire game, while Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Tătărușanu delivered an outstanding performance.

At the time, the Romanian team was led by coach Victor Pițurcă, while Alejandro Sabella was at the helm of the Argentine squad. The line-ups featured notable players such as Tătărușanu, Măţel, and Marica for Romania, and Messi, Higuain, and Aguero for Argentina.

Although Messi has faced many teams over his illustrious career, the match against Romania remains unique as it was a rare occasion where he did not find the back of the net. As Messi prepares for the final in 2026, fans will be watching closely to see if he can further his legacy and perhaps, one day, overcome the last few teams that have yet to concede a goal to him.