Lionel Messi Fires Brutal Parting Shot At England: 'They Didn't Want It Anymore'

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi Fires Brutal Parting Shot At England: 'They Didn't Want It Anymore' Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 21:46 IST Lionel Messi delivered

Lionel Messi Fires Brutal Parting Shot At England: 'They Didn't Want It Anymore' Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 21:46 IST Lionel Messi delivered a brutal verdict on England after Argentina's comeback World Cup win, claiming the Three Lions "didn't want it anymore" as momentum swung late. Rapid Read Argentina's Lionel Messi (AP) Lionel Messi delivered a brutal post-match assessment of England after inspiring Argentina’s dramatic comeback victory in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, claiming the Three Lions simply stopped believing. England looked on course for a place in the final after Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead in Atlanta. But the defending champions roared back late on. Enzo Fernandez rifled home a stunning equaliser in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez nodded in Messi’s pinpoint cross in stoppage time to seal a remarkable 2-1 victory and send Argentina into a second successive World Cup final. ‘We Felt They Didn’t Want It Anymore’ Messi, who created both Argentine goals, revealed his side sensed England were fading as the game entered its closing stages. Lionel Messi says Argentina “felt England didn’t want it anymore" 👀 pic.twitter.com/6fjZj9Nxc5— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 16, 2026 “We felt a lot of emotion, and when we were drawing, we needed the support of the fans because we saw that we could win it in 90 minutes," Messi said.

“Because we already had the goal, because we entered through the inside, the outside, because we created opportunities with crosses, through line passes, through the inside. “And we felt they didn’t want it anymore and we just kept coming. That’s why after the 1-1, the crowd helped us once more. “As I said, we are happy because it was a close match. We always want to win, and also because it takes us to play another World Cup final." The comments were a stinging verdict on England’s late collapse after they surrendered control of the match despite holding the advantage with just minutes remaining. Tuchel’s Tactics Under Fire England manager Thomas Tuchel has already come under scrutiny for his conservative approach after Gordon’s opener. Rather than pushing for a second goal, Tuchel reshuffled his side by introducing Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly and Dan Burn in place of Gordon, Reece James and Declan Rice, effectively retreating into a defensive shell. The changes handed Argentina momentum, with Messi beginning to dictate possession and repeatedly finding dangerous areas around England’s penalty box. After Fernandez levelled, Argentina continued to pour forward before Martinez completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute.