Argentina 2-1 England: Messi sets up the Albiceleste's World Cup final
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, with two late Lionel Messi assists setting up goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, sending the Albiceleste to a second straight final.
England
Argentina- 96'Substitution: ↑ M. Rashford / ↓ D. Spence (England)
- 96'Substitution: ↑ I. Toney / ↓ J. Stones (England)
- 94'Yellow card: R. de Paul (Argentina)
- 92'⚽ Goal for Argentina (L. Martinez)
- 90'Final score: England 1 - 2 Argentina
- 85'⚽ Goal for Argentina (E. Fernandez)
- 82'Substitution: ↑ N. O'Reilly / ↓ D. Rice (England)
- 82'Substitution: ↑ D. Burn / ↓ R. James (England)
- 81'Substitution: ↑ L. Martinez / ↓ N. Tagliafico (Argentina)
- 72'Substitution: ↑ N. Otamendi / ↓ L. Martinez (Argentina)
- 72'Substitution: ↑ G. Montiel / ↓ N. Molina (Argentina)
- 72'Substitution: ↑ R. de Paul / ↓ G. Simeone (Argentina)
- 72'Substitution: ↑ E. Konsa / ↓ A. Gordon (England)
- 64'Substitution: ↑ N. Gonzalez / ↓ L. Paredes (Argentina)
- 55'⚽ Goal for England (A. Gordon)
- 51'Yellow card: C. Romero (Argentina)
- 45'Half-time
- 42'Yellow card: L. Martinez (Argentina)
- 37'Yellow card: E. Anderson (England)
- 0'Kick-off
Argentina booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final for the second consecutive time, following a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
England had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon just before the hour mark, before Argentina turned the game around in the closing stages: Enzo Fernández struck a powerful effort from outside the box in the 85th minute, off a short corner routine involving Lionel Messi, before Lautaro Martínez headed in the winner in stoppage time, once again assisted by a Messi cross.
With this result, Argentina reach the World Cup final for the second straight tournament after their 2022 triumph, and will face Spain in the final, while England are eliminated at the semi-final stage once again.
