Lionel Messi describes World Cup semi-final win over England as 'special'

[p]After [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gordon-anthony/EFo95m2P/"]Anthony Gordon[/a] gave [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] the lead, 39-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a] provided the pass for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandez-enzo/nZnbEVWP/"]Enzo Fernandez[/a] to smash in an 85th-minute equaliser and then also the cross for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-lautaro/QHk1CXUh/"]Lautaro Martinez[/a] to head in the winner in Atlanta.[/p][p]Messi said victory in the semi-final was "[b]quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context[/b]."[/p][p]The game in Atlanta was played against the backdrop of a simmering sovereignty row over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] invaded in 1982 but Britain regained control after a brief war.[/p][p]Messi also paid tribute to his Argentina teammates and their never-say-die attitude.[/p][image alt="Lionel Messi during Argentina's win against England" id="abcf58f2-f47d-42fd-959b-9459366b1f38" credit-line="Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck/Opta by Stats Perform" guid="66edde94-943c-4cb3-b071-ff09102114b9" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]It was the latest demonstration of their grit at the 2026 tournament.[/p][p]In the last-16 match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a] they recovered from being 2-0 down to win 3-2.[/p][p]"[b]What the group has been doing is incredible, and this, of course, is again something that shows our character, our grit, our collective, the way that we play together,[/b]" said Messi. "[b]It was really, truly amazing[/b]."[/p][p]The forward said he was looking forward to facing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, where he will face the country where he spent most of his career, at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a].[/p][p]He said Spain, who beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] 2-0 to reach the final, were "a fantastic side, wonderful players".[/p][p]"[b]They play very, very well. I know them quite well. Their whole idea and philosophy has been very well (developed) throughout this time, and I know the players as well.[/b]"[/p]