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Argentina comes back to beat England, reaches second consecutive World Cup final
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to set up a final against Spain. Lionel Messi provided two assists as Argentina secured victory with late goals.
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Atlanta Stadium in the US state of Georgia. In the match officiated by American referee Ismail Elfath, Argentina came from behind with late goals to reach its second consecutive World Cup final.
Scoreless first half
The match began cautiously. Supporters of both sides jeered during the opposing national anthems. Argentina had more possession but England's defense held firm. No shots on target were recorded in the first part of the first half.
The first clear chance fell to England in the 32nd minute: John Stones' header from inside the penalty area went wide of the post. Argentina responded in the 39th minute with a fierce strike from outside the box by Enzo Fernández that just cleared the crossbar. The first half ended goalless.
England takes the lead, Argentina fights back
Argentina started the second half brightly, and Julián Álvarez went close in the 47th minute but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved his shot from a tight angle. Despite Argentina's pressure, England took the lead in the 55th minute: Morgan Rogers crossed from the right and Anthony Gordon finished with a first-time shot into the net.
Argentina pushed forward after falling behind. In the 69th minute, Lionel Messi's cross from the left found Nicolás González, whose header was again saved by Pickford. In the 76th minute, Alexis Mac Allister's header hit the post.
Argentina's pressure paid off in the 85th minute. Enzo Fernández received the ball from Messi outside the penalty arc and fired a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.
In stoppage time (90+2), Argentina snatched victory. A cross from the right was met by Mac Allister's header, which hit the post; Messi recycled the ball into the box and Lautaro Martínez headed it home to make it 2-1.
Messi sets historic record
With two assists, Lionel Messi has now been involved in 12 goals (8 goals, 4 assists) at the 2026 World Cup. It is the highest number of goal involvements in a single tournament since Gerd Müller's 13 (10 goals, 3 assists) for West Germany in 1970.
Argentina will face Spain in the final of the 23rd World Cup after they eliminated France 2-0. The final will be played on Sunday at New York/New Jersey Stadium. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, features 48 teams and runs from June 11 to July 19.
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