- England vs Argentina: Lionel Messi provided two decisive assists as La Albiceleste staged a dramatic late comeback to beat the Three Lions 2-1.
- The victory sends Argentina into back-to-back World Cup finals, where they will aim to successfully defend their title.
- Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Lionel Messi provided two sensational assists as Argentina staged a remarkable late comeback to stun England 2-1 in Atlanta, keeping their World Cup title defence alive and booking their place in the final against Spain on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernandez equalised 30 minutes later before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time from Messi’s cross.
Argentina will now have the chance to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups after Messi, 39, once again inspired his side to victory.
The South Americans will face a Spain side in the final after La Roja beat France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final.
The Three Lions started the game on a high note despite the fierce contest between the two sides, and they eventually broke the deadlock first.
Harry Kane clipped a 25-yard pass from the centre in search of Morgan Rogers on the right.
Nicolas Tagliafico hooked it clear, but only as far as Declan Rice, who quickly found Rogers.
The Aston Villa forward surged down the wing before delivering a superb cross. Gordon ghosted in behind Nahuel Molina to steer home a fine volley and hand England the lead.
Despite falling behind, Argentina, who have made a habit of coming from behind in this tournament, showed exactly why they are the defending champions, producing a stunning seven-minute turnaround.
The equaliser arrived in the 85th minute after Messi played a short corner to Rodrigo De Paul, who returned the ball to his captain.
Messi then drilled a pass to Chelsea’s Fernandez, stationed 22 yards out just right of centre. Fernandez unleashed a thunderous strike with his instep, sending the ball flying into the left corner of the net to cap off several earlier attempts from distance and bring Argentina level.
Buoyed by the goal, they piled on the pressure in search of a winner and their persistence paid off.
England’s low-block approach, as they chased a first World Cup title since 1966, ultimately backfired.
They retreated too deep, froze under pressure, and just as in 2018 when Croatia knocked them out in the semi-finals, history repeated itself as Lautaro Martinez completed Argentina’s dramatic comeback.
The winning goal came after Nicolas Gonzalez slid a pass inside from the left to Alexis Mac Allister, whose powerful effort crashed against the inside of the right post.
Djed Spence slid in to clear the rebound away from Messi, but the Argentine captain reacted quickest, racing to the loose ball on the right before curling a pinpoint cross into the box.
Martinez off the bench slipped between Ezri Konsa and John Stones and powered home a commanding header to seal Argentina’s place in the final.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026