Argentina national football team came from behind to beat England national football team 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, advancing to Sunday’s final against Spain national football team.
England looked on course for their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in the 55th minute. But late goals from Enzo Fernández and substitute Lautaro Martínez, whose winner came from a Lionel Messi cross, completed Argentina’s comeback.
The dramatic comeback has earned Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina national football team a place in a second straight FIFA World Cup final, keeping alive their hopes of successfully defending the title they claimed in Qatar in 2022.
They will now face Spain national football team in the championship match, while England national football team will battle France national football team for third place.
England produced a disciplined display for much of the game, neutralising Lionel Messi with compact defending and effective midfield pressing. Their approach was rewarded early in the second half when Anthony Gordon scored to put the Three Lions ahead.
Argentina turned the game around in the closing minutes as their quality came to the fore. Lionel Messi found more space on the right wing, increasing the pressure on England’s defence. Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed in the winner during stoppage time from a Messi cross.
After the match, England skipper Harry Kane acknowledged that his side sat back too much after going ahead, enabling Argentina to control possession and the flow of the game.
After the loss, Kane remarked, “We tried to hold on, but it wasn’t enough.” The team had been on the verge of making it to the championship game, but they were unable to finish.
Argentina is now one victory away from successfully defending their world crown, and the outcome prolongs England’s quest for their first World Cup final appearance in sixty years. With eight goals and four assists, Messi, who helped create the winning goal, also improved his standing in the competition for the Golden Boot.