Argentina overturn deficit to reach 2026 World Cup final against Spain
Lautaro Martinez scores in stoppage time as Lionel Messi orchestrates turnaround, setting up title decider in New Jersey while England head to third-place playoff.
Holding champions Argentina have secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after staging a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat England 2-1 in the semi-final. The match, played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, saw the South American side overturn a first-half deficit to set up a title clash against European champions Spain.
England appeared well-positioned to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon struck in the 55th minute. The goal, assisted by Harry Kane and Morgan Rogers, gave the English side a 1-0 lead that they maintained for nearly 30 minutes. However, the match grew increasingly physical, with the first half characterised by a high volume of fouls, including a booking for Elliot Anderson for a challenge on Lionel Messi.
Argentina’s resilience was tested further in the 76th minute when Alexis Mac Allister hit the post, but the momentum shifted shortly after. Messi, aged 39, provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez, who fired an equaliser in the 85th minute. The goal reignited Argentina’s hopes and placed immediate pressure on the English defence, who had failed to capitalise on their earlier advantage.
The decisive moment arrived in the 92nd minute, three minutes into stoppage time, when substitute Lautaro Martinez headed in the winning goal from a precise cross by Messi. The result confirms Argentina’s status as the team to beat in the tournament and keeps alive their bid to become only the second nation, after Brazil in 1962, to win back-to-back World Cups. Italy remains the only other side to have successfully defended the title.
For England, the defeat marks the end of their campaign under manager Thomas Tuchel. Key players Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane were unable to deliver in the final moments, leaving the squad to face France in the third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday. Meanwhile, Messi extends his record as the tournament’s leading scorer and becomes only the second player after Cafu to appear in three World Cup finals.
The 2026 World Cup final will be contested at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, 20 July 2026. The match represents the first competitive meeting between Messi and Spain, as the reigning champions of Europe and South America prepare to determine the new global title holder in this expanded 48-team tournament.
