Argentina defeats England 2-1 in World Cup semifinal to set up final clash with Spain
Lionel Messi provides two assists as defending champions overturn Anthony Gordon’s first-half strike to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina has secured its place in the 2026 World Cup final after defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The defending champions, who entered the knockout stages with high expectations, overcame a significant deficit to set up a rematch against Spain in the title decider. The victory extends Lionel Messi’s record as the tournament’s leading scorer and marks Argentina’s second consecutive appearance in the World Cup final.
The match, scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET kick-off on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, carried substantial historical weight given the long-standing rivalry between the two nations. England, seeking its first final appearance since 1966, took control in the second half when Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute. The goal, Gordon’s first-ever FIFA World Cup strike, appeared to place England in a commanding position as they moved closer to ending their six-decade wait for a final berth.
Argentina, which had cruised through the group stage with minimal adversity, faced increased pressure in the knockout rounds. The tension remained high throughout the first half, which ended scoreless. However, the momentum shifted late in the contest as Argentina mounted a comeback. In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernandez equalised with a powerful strike, sending the attendance into a frenzy and restoring parity to the match.
The decisive moment arrived in the 91st minute when Lautaro Martinez scored a header to win the match for Argentina. The goal was assisted by Lionel Messi, who recorded two assists in the match, contributing to both of Argentina’s second-half goals. The late winner stunned the Atlanta crowd and completed a remarkable turnaround after Argentina had trailed for more than 80 minutes.
Pre-match events in Atlanta highlighted the intensity surrounding the fixture. Thousands of Argentina supporters held a large-scale flag display, known as a banderazo, in the city streets. However, the Argentina team bus experienced a delay due to traffic caused by England supporters on an Atlanta freeway prior to the match. Despite these logistical challenges and the early deficit, Argentina’s resilience allowed them to advance to the final, where they will face Spain.
