Defending champions Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat England 2-1 and book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they will face Spain in a blockbuster showdown.
England looked set to secure a historic return to the World Cup final for the first time since their 1966 triumph after Anthony Gordon fired them ahead early in the second half, but Argentina turned the game around with two dramatic late goals.
Lautaro Martinez became Argentina’s hero after heading home a stoppage-time winner in the 92nd minute, completing a remarkable turnaround and breaking English hearts in Atlanta.
The victory once again highlighted Lionel Messi’s enduring influence, with the Argentine captain directly involved in both goals. Messi provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser before delivering the decisive cross that allowed Martinez to seal Argentina’s place in Sunday’s final.
England had taken control of the contest in the 55th minute when Gordon reacted quickest at the back post to tap in Morgan Rogers’ low cross, putting Thomas Tuchel’s side within touching distance of a first World Cup final appearance in six decades.
However, Argentina refused to surrender.
After relentless pressure, the holders finally found their breakthrough in the 85th minute when Fernandez collected Messi’s pass on the edge of the box and fired a powerful strike beyond Jordan Pickford to level the score.
With extra time approaching, Argentina pushed forward in search of the winner, and Martinez delivered the decisive blow, rising highest to meet Messi’s pinpoint cross and send the South American supporters into wild celebrations.
England had chances to extend their lead earlier in the match, but Argentina’s dominance after the break proved too much. Alexis Mac Allister struck the woodwork twice, while Pickford produced a crucial one-handed save to deny Nico Gonzalez’s header.
The highly anticipated semi-final lived up to its billing as one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with tensions boiling throughout the match as American referee Ismail Elfath struggled to keep control of an intense encounter.
For Argentina, the win keeps alive their dream of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup trophy.
Messi, now set to feature in his third World Cup final, will lead Argentina into another historic battle against European champions Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
For England, the wait continues. Their hopes of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966 ended in heartbreaking fashion as they now turn their attention to the third-place playoff against France.
