Argentina are through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after a breathtaking late comeback saw them defeat England 2-1 in a pulsating semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
For 85 minutes, England looked destined to end decades of World Cup frustration. Anthony Gordon had fired the Three Lions into the lead in the 55th minute, and England defended with determination as the clock ticked down.
But champions know how to survive, and Lionel Messi once again dragged Argentina back from the brink.
The 39-year-old maestro sparked the turnaround with a perfectly weighted pass that allowed Enzo Fernández to smash home the equaliser in the 85th minute. Then, deep into stoppage time, Messi delivered another moment of magic, setting up Lautaro Martínez to head in the dramatic winner in the 92nd minute.
The final whistle triggered scenes of jubilation among the thousands of Argentina supporters inside the stadium, while England’s players collapsed to the turf in disbelief.
England in control, until Messi intervened
The match had begun cautiously, with both sides locked in a tactical battle. Argentina enjoyed more possession in the first half, but England’s defence held firm and the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
England struck first after the restart when Gordon finished clinically to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a precious lead. With Jordan Pickford making key saves and England retreating into a compact defensive shape, the final seemed within reach.
However, Argentina gradually increased the pressure. Messi began finding pockets of space, and the defending champions pinned England deeper and deeper inside their own half.
The equaliser arrived five minutes from time, and once Argentina sensed vulnerability, they surged forward relentlessly. Martínez’s injury-time header completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the tournament.
Messi leads Argentina into another final
While he did not score, Messi was the undeniable architect of victory, providing both assists and dictating the decisive moments of the contest.
The triumph sends Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will face Spain in a blockbuster showdown on July 19.
England, meanwhile, must regroup for the third-place playoff against France.
Road to the final
Argentina’s path to the final has been packed with drama:
- Round of 32: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
- Round of 16: Argentina 3-2 Egypt
- Quarter-final: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
- Semi-final: Argentina 2-1 England
England’s campaign ended after victories over DR Congo, Mexico and Norway, but their dream of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966 was shattered by a devastating late Argentine blitz.
A rivalry for the ages
The encounter added another unforgettable chapter to the storied Argentina-England rivalry. Just as England appeared poised to write a new piece of history, Messi and Argentina produced a comeback worthy of champions.
Now the defending world champions stand one victory away from retaining football’s greatest prize, while England are left to wonder how a final that seemed within touching distance slipped away in the closing minutes.
