​No team has lived on the edge in a World Cup knockout round more than Argentina.The defending champions have pulled off miracle after miracle in the past two weeks.Their latest dramatic comeback came on Wednesday, July 15, as Argentina ripped the nets twice over a six-minute, 34-second span to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win over England in the semifinals. The South American champions will Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, July 19.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Argentines’ not-so-secret weapon?Lionel Messi, who at the “ancient” age of 39, still can help his team produce those miracles.As incredible a goalscorer as Messi is, he could be a more dangerous playmaker. He might not necessarily be the same player as he was in his prime and perhaps a half a step slower at the international level. But his soccer IQ is over the top.Messi has scored a World Cup career-record 21 goals and also tops the assists list at 12.Argentina cruised through to the Group J title, with a 3-0-0 mark while outscoring the opposition, 8-1. The results included a 3-0 triumph over Algeria, a 2-0 win over Austria, and a 3-1 victory over Jordan.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo one could have predicted how precarious life would be for the Argentines the rest of the way.Here is a quick look, in chronological order, on how La Albiceleste has pulled some rather improbable victories:MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 03: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the team’s second goal by Lisandro Martinez #6 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)FIFA via Getty ImagesFew soccer observers gave the World Cup debutantes and upstarts much of a chance against the South Americans, but they made their foes sweat.Messi lifted the Argentines into the lead in the 29th minute, as he scored in his World Cup record ninth consecutive match. However, Deroy Duarte equalized in the 59th minute for the Western African side.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe teams battled into extra time, as Lisandro Martínez boosted Argentina into the lead in the 92nd minute. Cape Verde, however, had other ideas, knotting things up on a Sidny Lopes Cabral score in the 103rd minute.The South American champions were spared the possibility of having the game decided in a penalty-kick shootout. A shot defender off Blue Sharks center back into the net to give the Argentines the win.”We knew it was going to be a very tough match; this team hadn’t lost to Spain and Uruguay for a reason. We did the hardest part, which was finding the first goal,” Messi said. “We thought that from then on, we would start to find our game and be more relaxed, but it was the complete opposite. We lost the ball, we sat back, we couldn’t pressure them well, and they struck with their strengths. We knew it was going to be