Last gasp Argentina's resilience no surprise to captain Messi

Lionel Messi stated he was not surprised by Argentina's ability to recover from difficult situations and reach the World Cup final again. The captain provided assists for crucial late goals by Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, securing a 2-1 victory over England in the semi-final.

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This group doesn't surprise me. I know and we know what we were capable of.

This win followed a pattern of dramatic comebacks for Argentina. They previously secured extra-time wins against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a stoppage-time winner clinched their 3-2 victory over Egypt after being down 2-0. "This group doesn't surprise me," Messi told reporters. "I know and we know what we were capable of."

Messi attributed the team's success to their unity and mutual inspiration. "People might have had doubts about us because we had players who were very much at their limit, but when we come together and are united, it always gives us an extra boost. They inspire each other. They find something they didn't know they had, and give everything."

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People might have had doubts about us because we had players who were very much at their limit, but when we come together and are united, it always gives us an extra boost. They inspire each other. They find something they didn't know they had, and give everything.

The veteran forward, enjoying his sixth World Cup and not contemplating retirement, is now focused on the final against Spain. "It's a team I know well," Messi said of the 2010 champions. "They have a footballing philosophy and have been playing this way for many, many years. I know the players. I've played against them, I follow them and several of them are at Barca, the club I love."

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It's a team I know well. They have a footballing philosophy and have been playing this way for many, many years. I know the players. I've played against them, I follow them and several of them are at Barca, the club I love.

Following their semi-final win, Messi and his teammates celebrated with a banner referencing Argentina's claim to the Falklands/Malvinas islands. Messi acknowledged the historical significance and rivalry, stating, "We went out there with real determination. The fans wanted this victory more than any other because of what it means to face England in a semi-final and reach another World Cup final."

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We went out there with real determination. The fans wanted this victory more than any other because of what it means to face England in a semi-final and reach another World Cup final.