World champions, Argentina score twice in the closing minutes to crush England’s dream as Lionel Messi inspires another unforgettable World Cup escape.
Lionel Messi once again proved why he is regarded as one of football’s greatest-ever players as Argentina produced another breathtaking late comeback to defeat England 2-1 and book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
With England just minutes away from reaching their first men’s World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966, Argentina struck twice in the closing stages through Enzo Fernández and substitute Lautaro Martínez to complete a dramatic turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The reigning world champions will now face European champions Spain in Sunday’s blockbuster final at New York/New Jersey Stadium, where Lionel Scaloni’s side will attempt to become only the third nation in history to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).
For England, meanwhile, the painful wait for another World Cup final appearance stretches beyond 60 years as Thomas Tuchel’s men must now settle for a third-place playoff against France.
England Were Minutes Away From History
The semifinal resumed one of football’s fiercest rivalries in front of a deafening atmosphere in Atlanta, with supporters from both nations creating a hostile environment long before kickoff.
The intensity carried onto the pitch.
American referee, Ismail Elfath officiated an opening half littered with fouls as neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances.
Argentina enjoyed more possession while England defended compactly, ensuring the first half ended goalless.
The game exploded into life after the restart.
In the 55th minute, Morgan Rogers delivered a superb cross from the right flank that found Anthony Gordon arriving unmarked at the far post.
The Newcastle United winger made no mistake, calmly finishing beyond Emiliano Martínez to send England fans into wild celebrations.
For the first time in the knockout stages, Argentina looked genuinely on the verge of elimination.
… Until Argentina Finally Broke Through
With their World Cup crown slipping away, Argentina launched relentless wave after wave of attack.
England goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford produced one outstanding save after another to keep the Three Lions ahead.
His first moment of brilliance came in the 69th minute when he denied Nico González after the winger met a pinpoint cross from Lionel Messi.
Seven minutes later, Pickford again rescued England, this time stopping Alexis Mac Allister shortly after the Liverpool midfielder had rattled the post.
Mac Allister would strike the woodwork again as Argentina continued piling on the pressure.
But even Pickford’s brilliance could not stop the inevitable.
Another Massive Argentina Comeback from Fernández
With just five minutes remaining, Messi found Enzo Fernández on the edge of England’s penalty area.
The Chelsea midfielder took one touch before unleashing a magnificent strike from around 20 yards that flew beyond Pickford to level the contest.
It was another huge moment for Fernández, who had also scored Argentina’s late winner against Egypt in the Round of 16.
The equaliser completely shifted the momentum.
England, who had retreated deeper and deeper into their own half, suddenly looked vulnerable.
Messi Assists Again as Martínez Ends England’s Hope
Deep into stoppage time, Messi produced another decisive contribution.
The 39-year-old floated a precise cross towards the far post where substitute Lautaro Martínez rose highest to head home from close range.
The goal completed another astonishing Argentina comeback and sparked emotional celebrations among the South American supporters.
Martínez admitted afterwards he had predicted exactly how events would unfold.
“This is incredible, it’s truly incredible,” Martínez said.
“I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] I was going to score a goal; I told Facu Medina that I was going to come on and win the match.”
“We stretched the team and went all-in. We got the goals in the end, and after 3½ years, we’re back in a World Cup final.”
Messi Breaks Yet More World Cup Records
Although he did not score, Messi once again proved decisive with two assists that completely changed the match.
The Argentina captain now owns several remarkable World Cup records.
Messi’s latest World Cup milestones
- Recorded 10 assists in World Cup knockout matches, six more than any other player in at least the past 60 years.
- Registered a goal or assist in 11 consecutive World Cup matches, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.
- Guided Argentina into a seventh FIFA World Cup final.
- Moved one step closer to winning back-to-back World Cup titles, something achieved only by Italy and Brazil.
Scaloni Salutes His Never-Say-Die Team
Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni praised the mentality of his players after another dramatic comeback.
“This group never ceases to amaze me,” Scaloni said.
“What these players demonstrate is incredible. After this, it’s very difficult to try to make people understand what they do on the field.”
“We are unique, and that’s not arrogance. The fans are the ones who carried us to victory.”
Scaloni’s tactical changes also proved decisive.
After England went ahead, he introduced more attacking options, including Lautaro Martínez, whose stoppage-time winner justified the gamble.
Tuchel Admits England Became Too Passive
England manager, Thomas Tuchel admitted his team retreated too much after taking the lead.
“We’re disappointed, we were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,” Tuchel told the BBC.
“We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots.”
“We were close but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”
Many observers also questioned Tuchel’s substitutions as England gradually surrendered possession and invited relentless Argentine pressure.
The introduction of additional defenders, including Ezri Konsa and Dan Burn, failed to stem Argentina’s momentum.
Argentina’s Experience Shows Again
Before the match, Alexis Mac Allister had insisted Argentina’s previous World Cup experience could help in difficult moments.
“Obviously having the experience of playing in a World Cup semifinal is a plus, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.”
On the pitch, that experience proved invaluable.
Argentina remained patient despite trailing before Messi unlocked England’s defence twice in the final minutes.
Lionel Scaloni’s side once again showed why they remain one of international football’s most resilient teams.
England’s Agony Continues
For England, it was another heartbreaking tournament exit.
The 1966 champions appeared destined to reach their first World Cup final in six decades after Anthony Gordon’s goal.
Instead, they joined a growing list of painful near misses, including
- defeats in the 2018 World Cup semifinal,
- the Euro 2020 final,
- the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal and
- Euro 2024.
England will now face France in Saturday’s third-place playoff.
History Beckons for Argentina
Victory over England sends Argentina into their seventh FIFA World Cup final, where an even greater challenge awaits against Spain.
The final will also make history.
It will be:
- The first World Cup final between the reigning European and South American champions.
- The first World Cup final featuring the top two nations in the FIFA World Rankings since the rankings were introduced in 1992.
Argentina are now chasing a fourth World Cup title and the chance to become only the third nation ever to successfully defend the trophy.
Standing at the centre of that dream, once again, is Lionel Messi.
At 39 years old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now just one victory away from delivering yet another unforgettable chapter in arguably the greatest football career the world has ever witnessed.
