Rise of a Football God
Chapter 517 - 517: Round of 32; Argentina vs Tunisia

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32]

[Match 4: Argentina vs Tunisia]

[Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA]

[Date: July 1st, 2026]

[Kick-off: 20:00 local time]

[Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela)]

The SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, USA was not just booked up and filled to the brim, it was an overflow crowd, heavily pro-Argentina.

It was the 2 G.O.A.T's last run at the FIFA World Cup.

Messi and Ronaldo had competed at this epic stage of football for 6 times. Messi had touched heaven, Ronaldo was yet to do the same, but their fans still trooped to the World Cup in droves to watch them play the last time.

In the group stage, it was a bit mild, but since it was the knockouts now, Messi fans came out in droves to support their G.O.AT.

It was perfect weather conditions in Los Angeles, mild and cool indoors.

Lionel Messi returned to the starting XI, and Argentina meant business.

The headlines wrote themselves before the game: Lionel Messi, rested against Norway, returns to the starting lineup for the first knockout match.

Tunisia, coming off a miraculous escape from Group I, carried pride and resilience, but Argentina carried destiny.

And from the opening whistle, it was clear: La Albiceleste weren't here to play, they were here to dominate.

Argentina started in a 4-3-3 formation with Emiliano Martinez in goal, while the defensive quadruple comprised Nahuel Molina, Christian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Marcus Acuna.

In midfield was the trio of Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Mac Allister, while the attacking trio led by Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain in left wing was completed by Lautaro Martinez through the middle, and Julian Alvarez on the right.

As for Tunisia, they started in a 4-1-4-1 with Bechir Ben Said in goal, and a defensive quadruple of Drager, Talbi, Meriah, and Abdi ahead of them.

Laidouni was the sole holding midfielder, while ahead of him as the creators were Skhiri, Mejbri, Sliti, and Kechrida, while Jaziri led the line as the striker.

FWEEE!

The first half started, and Argentina turned on the magic.

Argentina pressed high, stealing the ball, dominating possession, and playing with imperious superiority, and they got their goal early, as early as the 8th minute from their ageless captain, Lionel Messi.

A foul on Julian Alvarez gave Argentina a free kick at 24 yards out.

Messi stood over it… and curled it perfectly into the top left corner.

1-0 Argentina.

BOOM!

The stadium exploded. The perfect script.

The crowd erupted. Phones flashed. The stadium roared in unison, "MEESSI!"

It was pure euphoria from the fans in blue and white.

But Tunisia were given very little time to catch their breaths when Argentina struck again in the 23rd minute of the game, this time through Lautaro Martinez.

Messi again was the architect, this time, slicing a through ball between Talbi and Meriah to cut open Tunisia's defense.

Lautaro took one touch and blasted it past Ben Said.

2-0. Argentina were suffocating Tunisia.

Tunisia barely crossed midfield. Argentina confirmed them to half-field. Their only chance came in the 33rd minute, a speculative long shot from Sliti that Dibu Martinez handled calmly.

Their misery soon became worse as Julian Alvarez also added his name to the scoresheet on the 41st minute.

It came from a sweeping counterattack. Mac Allister to De Paul, De Paul to Messi, Messi to Julian Alvarez.

One touch. One shot. One net-buster.

3-0 Argentina.

It was beautiful. It was brutal. It was inevitable.

The first half came to an end all Argentina.

During halftime, of course, the Tunisian coach did his bit to motivate his players, giving them hope that the game was not lost yet.

Well, it was false hope.

The second half started, and it was control, class, and a bit of chaos.

Tunisia tried to regroup, bringing on Msakni and Ghandri to stabilize midfield. They showed more aggression… but Argentina were in full control.

And yet, in the 56th minute, Tunisia bought themselves a lifeline.

It came from a rare moment. Tunisia pressed high, won the ball near Argentina's box. Naim Sliti shifted onto his left and curled a shot that took a deflection off Otamendi and beat Dibu Martinez.

3-1. A flicker of hope?

No. Hope extinguished, simply because Lionel Messi was not done yet.

In the 68th minute of the game, the Argentine G.O.A.T struck again.

Enzo Fernandez picked out Messi in the half-space. One trademark feint, one defender left sinning, and a laser-guided finish inside the near post.

4-1.

Another international goal to the collection. A wink to the crowd, a nod to history.

Lionel Messi whirled away in celebration as his teammates swarmed him.

Lionel Scaloni subbed him off to a standing ovation in the 76th minute. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro followed soon after. Argentina coasted home.

[FULL-TIME: Argentina 4-1 Tunisia]

The defending champions sent a message. They were still very much in the game, and running for champions a 2nd time in 8 years.

Messi dazzled.

Tunisia departed the tournament humbled but proud.

And of course, Messi won the man of the match award with a vintage performance comprising 2 goals, 1 assist, 7 key passes, and a stunning 93% pass accuracy all game despite being with the ball for majority of the game.

Like the commentator said:

"There are artists, and then there is the one who taught them all. This was a footballing masterclass".

Messi played, Messi performed, so of course the post-match reactions were going to be crazy.

There was an internet meltdown immediately after the game.

On the pitch, Messi faced the media.

"We respect Tunisia. They earned their place here. But tonight, we wanted to show what we're made of".

Jalel Kadri, the Tunisian coach also had a few words for the media.

"We lost to greatness tonight. It was an honor to share the pitch with Lionel Messi".

ESPN Commentary also waxed lyrical about Messi.

"You can prepare for Argentina, but you can't prepare for this Messi".

With that win, Argentina moved on to the Round of 16.