Four years ago in Qatar, Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup at 35 and said goodbye to the tournament. Four years before that, at 31, the people closest to him feared he would retire without ever winning it. Now, at 39, he has just taken England apart in Atlanta and sent Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final — and the question of when his story ends refuses to be answered. Argentina trailed 1-0 when Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute.

What followed was astonishing. Thomas Tuchel responded by sending on extra defenders, inviting Argentina to attack — and Messi, shifting out to the right wing, was handed exactly the space he needed. Over the next 37 minutes, Argentina controlled 88 percent of the ball. Messi completed nine dribbles, generated four chances, put in nine crosses and touched the ball in the opposition box as many times as the entire England squad combined.

No player on record, since 1966, had ever completed nine dribbles and assisted two goals in a single World Cup knockout match. England managed seven successful dribbles as a team. Both Argentine goals came from Messi's boots. He picked out Enzo Fernández from a corner routine for an 85th-minute equaliser, then delivered the pass that decided the match.

His tournament tally now reads eight goals and four assists — joint top scorer and second-highest creator in the whole competition. Argentina will face Spain on Sunday in New Jersey — the country where Messi built his legend, the club where he spent the majority of his career. His national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, was asked what more Messi could possibly do to prove his greatness. Scaloni had no answer.