Argentina set to face Spain in World Cup final

Published : Friday, 17 July, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Sports Desk

Argentina produced another unforgettable World Cup comeback to defeat England 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final, scoring twice in the closing minutes to book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain.

For much of the night in Atlanta, England looked destined to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. Anthony Gordon's second-half strike had put the Three Lions within touching distance of history before Lionel Messi inspired yet another remarkable Argentine recovery. Enzo Fernández levelled five minutes from time before substitute LautaroMartínez struck a stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into another World Cup final.

The opening half was a tense tactical battle.

England pressed aggressively through Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, while Argentina relied on Messi's movement between the lines to unlock the English defence. Clear chances were limited as both teams defended with discipline, leaving the score goalless at the interval.

England finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

A swift move down the left released Anthony Gordon, who finished confidently beyond Argentina's goalkeeper to spark wild celebrations among England's supporters. The goal shifted momentum firmly towards Gareth Southgate's side, and for the next half-hour England looked increasingly comfortable protecting their advantage.

But champions rarely surrender quietly.

As the clock ticked into the final five minutes, Argentina raised the tempo. Messi, closely marked for much of the evening, suddenly found space to dictate play. His influence proved decisive.

In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández collected Messi's pass outside the penalty area before driving a superb strike into the corner to bring Argentina level. The equaliser transformed the atmosphere inside the stadium and shifted belief entirely towards the South Americans.

England were still recovering when Argentina delivered the decisive blow.

Deep into stoppage time, Messi again supplied the inspiration, creating the opening that allowed LautaroMartínez to score in the 90+2nd minute, completing an extraordinary comeback and silencing England's hopes of reaching the final.

The victory underlined Argentina's remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.

After dramatic wins over Egypt and Switzerland in previous knockout rounds, Lionel Scaloni's team once again demonstrated their ability to remain calm under immense pressure before delivering when it mattered most. Messi finished the night without scoring, yet his two assists once again highlighted his extraordinary influence on football's biggest stage.

For England, the defeat was another painful near miss.

The Three Lions defended impressively for long periods and appeared to have the match under control after Gordon's opener. However, a more cautious approach in the closing stages invited sustained Argentine pressure, and the world champions punished them ruthlessly.

Argentina will now meet Spain in Sunday's World Cup final in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown between the defending champions and Europe's newest powerhouse.

England, meanwhile, must regroup for the third-place playoff, knowing they came within minutes of ending a 60-year wait for another appearance in football's biggest final.