Argentina defeated England 2-1 with two goals in the final six minutes, securing a place in the World Cup 2026 final where the defending champions will face Spain on July 19 in New Jersey.
Argentina secured its place in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 this Wednesday, defeating England 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with a stunning late comeback to keep its title defense alive.
The match remained scoreless through the first half, with both sides prioritizing tactical discipline over attacking risk.
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The opening period was characterized by physical battles in midfield, resulting in yellow cards for Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.
England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers delivered a cross from the right flank, finding Anthony Gordon, who beat Argentina full-back Nahuel Molina to the ball and struck a first-time shot past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to give the European side a 1-0 advantage.
The goal shifted the dynamic of the match, forcing Argentina to abandon its cautious approach and push forward in search of an equalizer. England, meanwhile, attempted to manage the game from a position of control, holding possession and looking for opportunities on the counterattack.
Semi-finals in the books
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Stoppage-time Comeback
Argentina’s response arrived in the 86th minute. Lionel Messi played a pass to Enzo Fernández, who controlled the ball outside the box and unleashed a precise strike into the left side of the net, beating England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to level the score.
With the match appearing destined for extra time, Argentina completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute. Messi, carrying the ball down the right flank despite the pressure of two defenders, delivered a precise cross into the center of the box. Forward Lautaro Martínez anticipated the defense and connected with a powerful header to make it 2-1, sending the Argentine supporters into a frenzy inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Third Final in Four World Cups
The victory marks Argentina’s third World Cup final appearance in the last four editions of the tournament. The record includes the 2014 final in Brazil, where the team fell 1-0 to Germany in extra time, and the 2022 edition in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to claim the title.
The current champion Argentina will now face Spain in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match will determine the new champion of the World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada in the first 48-team edition of the tournament.
For England, attention now turns to the third-place match against France on July 18. The European rivals will compete for the bronze medal before the final clash between Argentina and Spain.
The semifinal triumph extends Argentina’s remarkable run under the leadership of Lionel Messi, who at 39 continues to define decisive moments for his national team. His two assists in the final minutes underscored his lasting influence on the biggest stage in world football, setting up a final that promises to crown a new chapter in the sport’s history.
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