Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta on July 15, coming from behind with two goals in the last five minutes, both assisted by Lionel Messi to book their place in the final. England led through Anthony Gordon but were unable to hold on, suffering another semi-final exit.
🔥 Quick Read
- Argentina win 2-1, reach back-to-back World Cup finals
- Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute
- Fernandez levelled with a long-range finish, 85th minute
- Martinez headed the winner deep in injury time
- Both Argentina goals were assisted by Messi
Cagey First Half Gives Way to Late Argentine Blitz
Neither side created meaningful chances in a tightly contested first half, with both teams recorded no shots in the opening 30 minutes, a statistical rarity at this stage of a World Cup. The yellow cards accumulated early, with Anderson booked in the 37th minute and Martinez in the 42nd, setting a combative tone before a ball had been struck on goal.
England broke the deadlock when Anthony Gordon converted in the 55th minute after being picked out by a precise delivery, giving Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead they had worked to earn. Argentina, already the tournament’s most prolific late scorers having netted nine goals after the 75th minute entering this match, continued to press.
Enzo Fernandez levelled in the 85th minute with a left-footed finish from distance after Messi’s involvement, and Lautaro Martinez headed home a Messi cross deep in stoppage time to complete a comeback that sends Argentina to Sunday’s final. Harry Kane told Fox that England were close but still searching for that missing piece in the final stage of the tournament.
Two Messi Crosses, Two Headers, One Comeback
Argentina turned the match in five extraordinary late minutes. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute with a left-bending finish from outside the box after Messi’s pass, his shot having earlier been tipped over the bar by Pickford.
Lautaro Martinez then headed home a Messi cross in stoppage time to complete the comeback, earning a yellow card in doing so as emotions ran high in the 90th minute.
Messi Decides Without Scoring
Lionel Messi was confirmed as the match’s top-rated performer and was the central figure in Argentina’s comeback despite not finding the net himself. Both of Argentina’s goals came directly from his deliveries, a pass for Fernandez’s equaliser and a cross for Martinez’s winner.
Already level with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race entering the match, Messi demonstrated that his influence extends well beyond his own goal tally as he guides Argentina toward a second consecutive World Cup final.
England Exit Again; Argentina Face Spain in Final
Argentina advance to Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will face Spain as defending champions bidding for back-to-back titles, a feat not achieved since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
The discipline tally four yellow cards across the 90 minutes, with de Paul booked deep in stoppage time should not result in suspensions for the final, but Scaloni will monitor the squad carefully heading into the deciding match.
For England, the loss is a second semi-final exit in three World Cups, having also gone out at this stage in 2018. Thomas Tuchel said at his post-match press conference that he had no regrets over his second-half decisions, but former captain Wayne Rooney suggested Tuchel’s substitutions cost the players belief.
With the squad still built around Kane, Bellingham, and a core in its prime, the conversation will turn immediately to 2030.
Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday; England’s squad, still among the world’s strongest on paper, must regroup and target the 2030 cycle.
