WORLD CUP FINALS: With Golden Boot still on the line, will Messi get a goal or an assist against Spain?
91% of users predicted YES — the community missed this one. 34 predictions cast.
Lionel Messi neither scored nor assisted in Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the July 19, 2026 World Cup final, leaving his Golden Boot bid unchanged. Spain's defense held Argentina without a shot on goal for the entire 120 minutes, and Ferran Torres scored the match's only goal in the 106th minute after Argentina had been reduced to 10 men.
Spain built its final-match approach around denying Messi and Argentina's attack any space, a plan that succeeded completely: Argentina registered no shots on target across the full match. Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card in second-half stoppage time, further limiting Argentina's ability to create chances once extra time began. Messi was visibly emotional afterward, with several outlets describing the loss as ending his international career without the farewell title he had been chasing.
The community had strongly expected a Messi goal or assist, with 91% forecasting yes. That majority call was wrong, reflecting how completely Spain's defense neutralized Argentina's attack in the final.