TLDR
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup 2026 semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on 15 July. Enzo Fernández headed an 85th-minute equaliser before Lautaro Martínez sealed it in the 90th+3rd minute, with Lionel Messi assisting both late goals. The comeback sets up a World Cup final against Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July. Argentina, the defending champions, advance to a second consecutive final under coach Lionel Scaloni.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
England take the lead
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on 15 July, completing a stunning late comeback to book a place in the tournament's last match.[1] For 35 minutes of the second half, it looked like England would end the run of the defending champions.
Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minuteverifiedVerified Source: afa.com.ar, ten minutes after the interval, giving Thomas Tuchel's side the lead they had worked and waited for.[2] England, chasing a first World Cup final appearance since 1966, defended that advantage with real discipline as Argentina probed without reward through a tense hour of football.
Lionel Scaloni's squad kept coming. The question was whether time would run out.
Messi turns the game
Enzo Fernández equalised with a header in the 85th minuteverifiedVerified Source: afa.com.ar, the goal coming from a short corner routine that ran straight through Messi's boot.[2] Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted. England, so close to the final, suddenly had to start again with five minutes on the clock.
Fernández's run to meet the delivery was perfectly timed, his header direct and decisive. Argentina sensed it. The momentum had shifted entirely inside sixty seconds.
Martínez seals it in stoppage time
Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in the 90th+3rd minuteverifiedVerified Source: afa.com.ar, Messi again the architect, delivering a second assist in the final seven minutes of the match.[2] One goal down to 2-1 ahead inside eight minutes of regulation and stoppage time combined. Argentina had done it again.
Martínez wheeled away in celebration as the Argentina bench spilled onto the pitch. England had no time to respond, and the final whistle confirmed one of the most dramatic World Cup semi-final reversals in recent memory.
Scaloni and the Argentina camp react
Lionel Scaloni kept it simple in the aftermath. The Argentina Football Association reported Scaloni said the team is unique and it is not arrogance, but heart.[4]
FA president Debbie Hewitt acknowledged Argentina's quality even in defeat. Hewitt told the FA that Argentina again demonstrated the quality, character and pride that make them one of football's great nations.[1]
Argentina entered the tournament as defending champions, Scaloni having built a squad around tactical discipline and a collective hunger that has now carried them to a second consecutive World Cup final.
Final preview: Argentina vs Spain, 19 July
Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July 2026, with kick-off at 16:00 local time.[2] Australian viewers can watch from 5:00am AEST on Monday 20 July.
FIFA confirmed New York New Jersey Stadium as the host venue for the 2026 final months ago.[3] Argentina and Spain have met on the game's biggest stages before, and neither side will arrive short of motivation.
Messi, at 38 years old, stands ninety minutes from a second World Cup winner's medal. The final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July 2026 may be the last chapter of a tournament that never gets matched.
SOURCES & CITATIONS
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Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport for Bushletter. Fast and verb-led, he writes with a news-wire cadence and no patience for PR spin.
