Lionel Messi had already won the World Cup in Qatar 2022, but the Argentina captain wrote a new chapter in his incredible career on Wednesday, leading his country to a thrilling victory over England in the semifinals of the North American World Cup.

The defending champions struggled to reach the tournament's final stage, trailing until the 85th minute after a goal from English striker Anthony Gordon, before Messi worked his magic.

The all-time World Cup top scorer didn't score this time, but he set up the equalizer by Enzo Fernández and then delivered a cross for Lautaro Martínez to head home the winner, sealing a 2-1 victory for Argentina.

Messi, 39, said after facing England for the first time in his career: 'These are special emotions. I think the members of the national team felt that, and this was a match the Argentine people desperately wanted to win, and so did we. This encounter remains special.'

Messi did not replicate the achievement of Argentine legend Diego Maradona, who scored two iconic goals in the victory over England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal.

But the Inter Miami star set up two goals, following in the footsteps of his legendary predecessor, when he led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After the Albiceleste maintained their incredible record of never losing a World Cup semifinal in history, Messi will play in his second international final.

The South American team seeks to become the first team to retain the world title since Brazil in 1962.

Messi is the only player who played in the final that Argentina lost to Germany in 2014, and he will become only the second player, after Brazil's Cafu, to play in three finals in the competition.

Messi said: 'It's amazing to play in two consecutive finals.'

Argentina had previously staged a stunning comeback against Egypt to advance from the round of 16 (3-2) at the same stadium in Atlanta.

They smelled the end of the tournament after England fell back and defended deep after scoring the opening goal.

Messi, who has played a record 33 matches across six different World Cups, said: 'We were able to come back when the game went against what we hoped for. We never stopped believing in ourselves.'

During long stretches of Wednesday's match, Messi's impact was limited, but he showed his ability to lead his team to victory.

England captain Harry Kane said: 'I felt that for long periods of the game we managed to limit Messi's danger, but he belongs to the most dangerous type of players in the world, capable of making the difference in the final third.'

He added: 'He did it again. That's what makes him one of the greatest players of all time.'

Spain with Barcelona memories

Many consider Messi the greatest footballer of all time, and the debate may be settled if Argentina succeed in defending their world title in Sunday's final against Spain.

Pelé and Maradona only played in two World Cup finals, while Maradona won the title only once.

Messi is also the all-time World Cup top scorer with 21 goals, although Frenchman Kylian Mbappé is just one goal behind him and plays on Saturday against England in the third-place match.

The former Barcelona star could have retired from international football contentedly after the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina defeated France in the final.

But the legendary player seems to have conserved his energy for the World Cup in recent years, after moving away from the high intensity of European football and adapting to the American environment with Inter Miami.

While Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence with Portugal is seen as perhaps a hindrance to the team, Messi has retained the same impact with the national team as usual.

England's German coach Thomas Tuchel said: 'He is the leader and the main player in any team he plays for.'

The Argentina captain will get his chance to play against Spain in an official match for the first time, as the identity of the opponent makes the encounter unique.

Messi moved to Barcelona with his family at the age of 13 and lived there for two decades before leaving in 2021 for French side Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi holds a Spanish passport and may one day settle again in Castelldefels, on the coast near Barcelona.

But before he thinks about that, his focus is now on crushing Spain's dreams.