England achieved what Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, and Egypt could not — preventing Lionel Messi from scoring. The record-breaking goalscorer in World Cup history managed just one shot, which did not trouble goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. England’s defense pressured, frustrated, and pushed him out to the right wing. However, they soon realized that Messi’s influence extends beyond just scoring goals. He created one goal and another, sending England back across the Atlantic.

Messi’s assist for Argentina’s equalizer may have appeared routine as he passed to Enzo Fernandez, but his mere presence caused England defenders to shift out of position, creating exploitable gaps. His setup for Argentina’s winning goal showcased his brilliance, as he danced down the right wing before floating a precise cross over John Stones’ head, finding Lautaro Martinez’s forehead perfectly.

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Even after having little involvement for an hour, Messi left Atlanta with the man of the match award and now prepares for another World Cup final. With only Cafu having played in three finals, Messi is set to join him on Sunday.

Messi’s first final, in Rio de Janeiro in 2014, caused him distress for years. He missed a crucial one-on-one against Manuel Neuer before Mario Gotze netted Germany’s winning goal in extra time. It took eight years for him to return to the final stage, where he scored twice and executed an audacious penalty during the shootout to secure the trophy he longed for, finally dispelling his past disappointments.

After enduring years of striving for international success amid domestic scrutiny in Argentina, Messi may now exit with a second World Cup, paired with two Copa America titles. His career can essentially be divided into two halves: an era at Barcelona that reshaped the game, followed by a spell with Argentina that transformed his narrative in history.

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During this semi-final clash in Atlanta, Messi was often pushed to the fringes, struggling to find space. Early in the match, he was crunched between Elliot Anderson and Harry Kane. Djed Spence attempted a tackle that saw Messi not awarded a free-kick, drawing an annoyed look from him towards referee Ismail Elfath. Anderson received a yellow card for taking him down, marking a brief display of Messi’s speed in a mostly subdued first half.

However, in hindsight, England’s biggest blunder was scoring a goal. They fell back into their own defensive box — a classic English tactic — ceasing to press, counter-attack, or play football. This approach had previously worked for their coach, but here, there was little necessity for such a strategy, which only emboldened Argentina.

As England retreated, Messi emerged from the background. His skill to find space, understand game dynamics, and navigate moving pieces shone through. Instead of focusing on the ball, Messi analyzed the defenders, mentally mapping his opponents and looking for openings. In a moment of brilliance, he became a tactical planner, noting the significant contours of Dan Burn’s presence.

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A study on Messi’s spatial awareness conducted during his time at Barcelona revealed his remarkable ability to anticipate openings before they became apparent. According to David Sumpter, who conducted the research, Messi possesses a unique awareness that enables him to perform extraordinary feats on the pitch, finding solutions that others cannot.

Ultimately, Messi found a pocket of space on the right flank, near the edge of England’s midfield, and began to maneuver. He weaved through weary opponents, delivering accurate crosses to teammates. John Stones intervened, and Jordan Pickford made a crucial save. The post came to England’s aid a few times as well.

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Yet, England could not escape their own penalty area, allowing Messi to shine. After taking a short corner, he received the ball back, drawing in Kane, Spence, and Anderson. Messi then passed to Fernandez, who equalized with a clear shot at goal.

Just moments later, Messi attacked the box again, sprinting towards the byline, with Spence and Nico O’Reilly a few steps behind. He delivered a high, fast cross that met Martinez perfectly, setting the stage for the score. Messi may not have found the net himself, but his influence made it nearly impossible for Martinez not to score.

As the final whistle blew, Messi knelt on the pitch, mirroring his stance from Argentina’s World Cup victory four years ago. Worn out physically and drained emotionally, he prepares for one final, formidable challenge. The last dance is far from over for Messi.