Argentina are back in the World Cup final following a comeback that stunned social media and beyond.
The defending World Cup champions faced a 1-0 deficit late in their semifinal game against England Wednesday. Argentina equalized in the 86th minute following a strike from midfielder Enzo Fernández. Seven minutes later, Lautaro Martínez headed home a goal in additional time to put Argentina ahead for good and win 2-1.
Argentina needed a comeback against Egypt in the round of 16 to advance, and pulled off another Wednesday in remarkable fashion. Only four other teams have had multiple comeback wins in the same World Cup knockout stage.
Read more:2026 World Cup Stock Watch: Which players starred?
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final Sunday, looking to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil (1958 and 1962).
Their stunning semifinal win prompted reaction across the sports world on social media, led by two legendary NFL quarterbacks.
Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes topped reactions to Messi’s victory. The Kansas City Chiefs signal caller referred to Messi as the GOAT, while Brady kept his response simple. New York Knicks guard Josh Hart took it a step further, saying Messi is better than his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read more:New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Piano,’ dies at 78, his family says
Oh my god 🤯
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) July 15, 2026
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 15, 2026
pic.twitter.com/HXNNjMZQYN
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 15, 2026
🐐🐐🐐
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 15, 2026
Messi is inevitable
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 15, 2026
Messi > Ronaldo
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 15, 2026
Argentina = Knicks
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 15, 2026
Argentina is unreal
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) July 15, 2026
WOWWWWWWW
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 15, 2026
Messi with the RIGHT! This game is 🔥
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 15, 2026
Messi 2 crazy assist wow
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 15, 2026
Increíble lo de estos pibes! Realmente notable! Hermoso!
Otra vez a la final del mundo!! 🥰🥰— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 15, 2026
Para variar, lo de Leo es de otro planeta. Apoteótico!
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 15, 2026
