Just when you think the World Cup has reached its peak, it brings a match like this, equal parts beauty, mess, and controversy. Lionel Messi once again it was delivered when it mattered most, setting up Argentina’s stunning 2-1 win over England. But instead of celebrating completely, the semi-final quickly descended into a storm of accusations, and fans shouting “corruption” and question whether FIFA’s golden child is getting special treatment.
Argentina have reached another final, but the path seems clear in the eyes of the critics.
Argentina vs England
For more than 80 minutes, England it seems destined to rewrite history. Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal had put them in control, and their disciplined defense kept Argentina confused, but then collapsed. Enzo Fernandez’s thunderbolt in the 85th minute turned the game on its head. Suddenly, England looked confused. And when they needed calm, Messi stepped in with a moment of pure genius, floating a pinpoint ball into the goal area for Lautaro Martรญnez to score the first goal in the dying minutes.
And once again, Messi was at the center of it all, two assists, complete control, and a performance that pulled Argentina over the line.
Offside controversy sparks claims of ‘Messi bias’
Wasn’t Messi offside? pic.twitter.com/qPDSyM5eWv
โ Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) July 15, 2026
Here’s where things go wrong: Argentina’s equaliser, the moment the momentum changed, didn’t just light up the scoreboard; it provoked anger. Fans immediately approached Messi’s place in the gathering. Was he offside? Social media thought so. The England players certainly thought so. Appeals were immediate, and VAR kicked in.
After a thorough review, the officials determined that Messi was only onside when the pass was made, the goal stood, and Argentina celebrated. However, that didn’t stop it from going back. From “Messi favoritism” to “FIFA corruption,” Accusations flooded the time. Many said that such calls have gone to Argentina repeatedly throughout the tournament. Supporters, meanwhile, came to the Argentinian player’s defence.
Messi responds: ‘Nobody gave us anything’
๐จ๐ฅ Leo Messi: “It’s crazy what we achieved … this can make someone sad, he can say whatever he wants”.
“This group shows that nobody gives us SOMETHING FOR FREE”. ๐ pic.twitter.com/KvR8H2UlRo
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2026
Messi, unsurprisingly, was having none of it. “It hurts whoever it hurts… We’ve been better for the last four years, whether people like it or not,” he said after the match. The Argentinian captain made it clear, this is not luck, and certainly not a gift: “To reach two consecutive World Cup finals is something that few people have achieved; no one gave us anything.”
Bellingham vs Messi: viral light
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฆ๐ท That’s one way to stop Bellingham.
BTW, only Messi could get away with a fight like this ๐
Author: Danielpic.twitter.com/c9foUkQSAV
– Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 16, 2026
As if the VAR drama wasn’t enough, the match also produced a raucous pitch. Jude Bellingham and Messi clashed in a heated exchange earlier in the game, as tension continued in a physical battle filled with fouls. When Messi looked down at Bellingham before the sign of rejection went viral. Fans teared up every second. Was it threats or was it confusion?
Turns out, it was easier than it looked. “(We were) discussing dirty,” Bellingham later explained. “But it wasn’t bad.” Still, he admitted the obvious: “It’s a great opportunity to play against (Messi).”
Jude Bellingham made Messi drop one of the coolest GIFs of all time. ๐ญpic.twitter.com/1tXsxPCs67
โ Omo Barcaโฝ๏ธ๐ค (@Tobs_fc) July 16, 2026
I agree that Tuchel was wrong.
But whatever Bellingham said to Messi here was also a factorโฆ. ๐ pic.twitter.com/gmdrYgA1PB
– Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 15, 2026
๐จ๐๏ธ What happened between you and Messi?
๐ฃ๏ธ Jude Bellingham: “We were talking about a strong shot, there was nothing really wrong at all, I’m sure everyone will do their job and blow it out of proportion, but for me there was nothing to mention.
I thought there wasโฆ
โ MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) July 16, 2026
Victory attributed to Maradona
Amid the noise, Messi took a moment to reflect and dedicate the win to the late Diego Maradona, especially given the historic rivalry with England: “Diego is very happy to be out there … it’s a gift for him too.”
Argentina now heading to its seventh World Cup final, chasing yet another title and a place in history.
๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฃ๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ง:
Messi looked offside when setting up Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser. However, no VAR review was carried out, nor was the usual offside photo shown. pic.twitter.com/EOiXuiS0yG
– The Touchmine | ๐ (@TouchmineX) July 15, 2026
The first thing Princess Messi does after 45 minutes is play the Referee directly on camera
๐๐ #get involvedEngland Vs Argentina is the Class of Corruption! pic.twitter.com/6OtcwqvIqq
โ _y_a_ll_a (@y4ll4636) July 15, 2026
๐จ Enzo Fernandez hits Anderson in the head from behind but no Yellow Card
Argentine players are allowed to play MMA. And Basketball on the field but other teams receive VAR calls for breathing close to Messi
How many more teams will fall for this Extreme Corruption? ๐ค https://t.co/cdGkkZAXKm pic.twitter.com/1Re0gsJkPq
– Preeti (@MadridPreeti) July 15, 2026
Four years ago, the world witnessed the biggest corruption in the history of the World Cup ๐ณ
Messi held the ball which would have deserved a red card, the referee looked away.
Van Dijk knew then that the World Cup was planned for Messi. https://t.co/fP5YFEwT2M pic.twitter.com/jc3LDGXCH6
– LFC Unfiltered (@PreshUnfiltered) July 15, 2026
๐จ Jamie Carragher responding to Rio Ferdinand’s VAR comments after Argentina’s victory
๐ฃ๏ธ: “I have to be honest, I didn’t expect someone as experienced as Rio Ferdinand to make such a statement. Saying ‘you’ve never seen VAR go through a yellow card’ is not true.โฆ pic.twitter.com/1JuvSlUvYf
– Soccer Area | FZ (@TheFutbolZoneX) July 12, 2026
No one is saying Messi is a bad footballer, but Messi and his team are favored by the referees.
Despite the obvious incident of stepping on a player’s foot before the second goal, VAR did not intervene. pic.twitter.com/1yqyzjE0Fc
– SharpOran (@SharpOranra) July 16, 2026
Lionel Messi is the most corrupt footballer ever. There is no way people are still rating this guy. They scored an offside goal, and VAR didn’t even bother to check it.
This is nonsense. How does FIFA sanction only one player? Guys, this game is over. pic.twitter.com/a8q2xYxU51
– grandson (@Grandsonncr7) July 15, 2026
Why do corruption scandals and controversial victories follow Messi to every club/team he goes to?
When Messi was playing for Barcelona there were many scandals and controversies where many players and clubs called Barcelona in favor of referees and officials. One of theโฆ pic.twitter.com/OxKcxsAnqa
– Senyo (@Senyyo) July 10, 2026
Aaaaaaaaand another one after the England game ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
> Many Argentine fouls go unpunished against England. Mainly a punch to the back of the head by Anderson and Enzo. It could easily be a red card. But no. Not even yellow. Enzo goes on to score the equalizer… https://t.co/VVOyKrl2Rr
– Stiff FC (@Stiff_FC) July 16, 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 11 pm GST.
