Lionel Messi dedicates England win as a special gift to the late Diego Maradona

Lionel Messi paid an emotional tribute to Diego Maradona after Argentina's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, saying the win was "a gift" for the late football legend.

Moments after leading Argentina into a second successive World Cup final, Messi was presented with an iconic Argentina shirt from the 1986 World Cup by a TyC Sports reporter, who told the captain it belonged in his personal museum after another memorable 2-1 victory over England.

The symbolism was impossible to ignore. Forty years after Maradona inspired Argentina to one of the most famous wins in football history against England, Messi had helped write another memorable chapter in the rivalry by setting up both goals in a stirring comeback.

Speaking to TyC Sports, Messi said he was certain Maradona would have cherished the occasion.

"I'm sure Diego is enjoying it from up above because today was a very special day for him," Messi said.

"To be able to give him this joy, wherever he is watching from, and for him to enjoy it, this is a gift for him as well."

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A SPECIAL DAY

Maradona's exploits against England at the 1986 World Cup remain etched in football history. The legendary No. 10 scored both the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the Goal of the Century in a 2-1 quarter-final victory before leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Mexico.

Wednesday's semi-final produced another 2-1 triumph over England, with Messi once again at the heart of everything Argentina did.

Although Thomas Tuchel's side frustrated the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for long spells and even took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the second half, Messi refused to force the issue. Instead, he dropped deeper into midfield, dictated the tempo and patiently waited for the right moments to unlock England's defence.

His vision proved decisive.

Messi first picked out Enzo Fernandez to spark Argentina's comeback before producing another inch-perfect delivery for Lautaro Martinez, whose winner completed the turnaround and booked Argentina's place in another World Cup final.

HISTORY LIVES ON

For Argentine football, victories over England have always carried significance beyond the final score. Every meeting inevitably brings back memories of 1986, making Wednesday's semi-final another emotionally charged chapter in one of football's most enduring rivalries.

Messi's post-match comments reflected that emotion. Rather than focusing on his two assists or Argentina's latest comeback, the captain chose to remember Maradona, whose legacy continues to loom large over every major success the national team enjoys.

Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final with the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the trophy. Regardless of what happens in New Jersey, Messi ensured that one of the most memorable victories over England in recent history was also a moment to honour the man whose exploits in the same fixture remain woven into Argentina's footballing identity.

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