Lionel Messi's right foot makes its own magic to help Argentina stun England in World Cup semifinal

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Lionel Messi is a left-footed player. When you think of the magic of the Argentine maestro, that's the side you picture. Messi has made some of the most marvelous artwork The Beautiful Game has ever seen with his left foot.

On Wednesday, though, his right foot was called into action. Argentina had just equalized with England in the World Cup semifinal, and they had a whole bevy of attackers on the pitch. If they could win it in regulation, that would be the best possible outcome.

So there Messi was, on the right wing, with a chance to go to his left.

The defender played to stop that, and so Messi took what was there. He went right.

That's when he served up a pristine ball, from his supposed weaker foot, directly to the head of a flying Lautaro Martinez.

Headed goal, 2-1 Argentina, World Cup Final bound.

Messi's second assist of the match, after previously giving a simpler pass to Enzo Fernandez before a rocket from the midfielder tied it.

What can't this little man do?

MESSI SENDS IT INTO TO LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ AND ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇦🇷

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6JqVAiIL9D

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

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This World Cup had mostly been the story of Messi goals. Before the quarterfinal, he had scored in nine consecutive World Cup games, by far an all-time record.

But in the quarterfinal, Messi didn't get a goal in Argentina's 3-1 extra time win over Switzerland. It had been a quiet night for him.

This clash, too, wasn't particularly loud for Messi for a while. It was physical and intense on the indoor pitch in Atlanta, but Messi hadn't been given a clear-cut chance for himself.

Turns out, he didn't need one. He could just set his teammates up.

Messi has the most assists ever of a player in an international shirt, now at 65.

And the 65th, with his right foot, will be one that Argentina's fans will never forget.

In a World Cup full of late goals for the Argentines, the one that sent them back to the World Cup Final came off the lesser foot of the greatest player to ever stop onto the pitch.

Yeah, something that Lionel Messi is supposedly "worse" at is still better than just about everyone else.

And so on Argentina charges, right to the World Cup Final to try and repeat, with Messi leading the way as he always does.