Di 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal don end with two extra time tussle, as Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 and England defeat Norway 2-1. But di main gist na about Lionel Messi, wey no score but still break record as di all-time assist leader for World Cup history.
Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister for di opening goal with a corner kick for di 10th minute. Dat na im 10th World Cup assist, wey pass di previous record of nine wey West Germany legend Fritz Walter hold. Some sources give Pele nine assists too, but dat one dey disputed.
Di Argentina captain don reach double-digit goal contributions for dis tournament—eight goals plus two assists. Na only Kylian Mbappe join am to get 10+ goal contributions for two consecutive World Cups. Messi also become di first player to provide 10 assists for 10 different scorers for World Cup.
Switzerland fight back through Dan Ndoye for second half, but Breel Embolo collect second yellow card for simulation under FIFA new mistaken identity rule. Argentina still need extra time to win, with Julian Alvarez score stunner and Lautaro Martinez finish am for 121st minute—di latest goal for Argentina World Cup history.
Messi no score for di first time dis tournament, but im still create six chances, take four shots, and complete five dribbles. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni call am a machine, saying as long as Messi want to be di best, e go continue to be di best.
Di win set up semifinal clash with England on July 15. England don reach di semis for di first time since 2018, thanks to Jude Bellingham wey score two goals again. Bellingham na di second youngest player to score 2+ goals for consecutive World Cup knockout matches, behind only Pele for 1958.
Argentina don score 3+ goals for four straight matches, tied for longest streak for World Cup history. Dem also score three goals from corners, tied for most with England and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Despite being di third shortest team, Argentina get three headed goals.
Di quarterfinal stage get eight extra time matches, tied with 2014 and 1990 for most for a single World Cup. But dis one get 28 knockout matches, while those earlier editions only get 15.
Messi World Cup assist record now stand at 10, wey pass Diego Maradona eight. Opta wey track since 1966 confirm am as di modern era leader. Di assist chart include Pierre Littbarski, Grzegorz Lato, Ivan Perisic, David Beckham, and others.
