Argentina produced yet another dramatic late comeback to break English hearts in Atlanta, scoring twice in the final ten minutes to beat England 2-1 and reach a second straight World Cup final. Anthony Gordon had given England a shock lead early in the second half, finishing off a Morgan Rogers cross, and Thomas Tuchel's side spent the next half hour defending deep to protect it. But Lionel Messi, who had never previously faced England in his career, delivered two decisive assists in the space of six minutes: first teeing up Enzo Fernández for a rasping equaliser in the 85th minute, then crossing for substitute Lautaro Martínez to head home the winner deep into stoppage time. It extended Argentina's remarkable pattern of late tournament drama, following comebacks or extra-time scares against Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland. Argentina advance to face Spain in Sunday's final, while England — beaten in a World Cup semi-final for the second time in three tournaments — face France in Saturday's third-place playoff.
Messi Delivers When Argentina Need Him Most
For the first half-hour in Atlanta, neither side managed a single shot — the first time in the broadcast era that both teams at a World Cup had gone that long without an attempt on goal — as a fierce, foul-strewn opening set the tone for a bruising afternoon. Referee Ismaïl Elfath booked Elliot Anderson and Lisandro Martínez before the break as tempers flared, and the sides went in level at 0-0 with Argentina holding the bulk of possession but creating little of note.
The game finally sprang to life seven minutes into the second half. Julián Álvarez tested Jordan Pickford early on, but it was England who struck first: Harry Kane sprung a counter-attack that ended with Morgan Rogers whipping in a pinpoint cross for Anthony Gordon to steer home and send the England end of Atlanta Stadium into raptures. From there, though, Thomas Tuchel's side began to retreat. Argentina poured forward through Messi, Álvarez and substitute Nico González — whose downward header from a Messi cross was brilliantly turned away by Pickford — while England, increasingly camped in their own half, brought on Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly for fresh legs at the back rather than looking to add a second.
The pressure told in the end. In the 85th minute, after seeing an earlier long-range effort tipped over by Pickford, Enzo Fernández found space from a short corner routine and curled a brilliant strike beyond the England goalkeeper's reach — Messi credited with the assist for drawing defenders before releasing him. England barely had time to regroup before Argentina struck again: Alexis Mac Allister's header cannoned back off the post, Messi gathered the loose ball, and his precise cross deep into stoppage time was met by the head of Lautaro Martínez — on the pitch for barely 11 minutes — to complete another trademark late Argentine turnaround. It was Argentina's 11th goal scored from the 75th minute onward at this World Cup, a tournament-defining trait that once again proved decisive.
Match Timeline — Every Key Moment
Full Match Statistics
| Stat | England 🏴 | Argentina 🇦🇷 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Possession | 36% | 64% |
| Shots / On Target | 5 / 2 | 15 / 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.53 | 1.84 |
| Fouls / Yellow Cards | 11 / 1 | 15 / 3 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 3 (Pickford) | 1 (Martínez) |
| Records | Argentina's 11th goal scored from the 75th minute onward this tournament · Messi's first-ever match against England, 2 assists | |
| History | Argentina reach a second consecutive World Cup final; England fall in the semi-final for a second time in three tournaments | |
| Venue | Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, Georgia · July 15, 2026 | |
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Emiliano Martínez — A Quiet Night That Ended in Celebration
At the other end, Emiliano Martínez needed just one save all match, called into action when he was unable to prevent Gordon's clinical finish for England's opener but otherwise rarely troubled as Argentina dominated the ball. His role was more about composure than shot-stopping — organising a back line that had to absorb occasional England counters through Kane and Bellingham — before he was mobbed by teammates at the final whistle as Argentina booked a second straight World Cup final.
Key Player Ratings
What This Means Going Forward
Conclusion
England 1-2 Argentina. For 84 minutes in Atlanta, England were on course for a first World Cup final in 60 years, holding firm to Anthony Gordon's early second-half strike through a mixture of brave defending and a series of outstanding Jordan Pickford saves. But against a champion side that has now come from behind or survived extra time in four consecutive knockout matches, a slender lead was never going to be enough. Lionel Messi, facing England for the first time in his career, produced two moments of pure quality in the space of six minutes to turn the tie on its head.
For Argentina, it is another chapter in a tournament defined by late drama, and a route to a second straight final where they will look to become the first team to retain the World Cup in over 60 years. For England, there is real anguish in a defeat that once again arrived in the cruellest possible fashion, but also legitimate pride in a defensive performance that, for 84 minutes, had the reigning champions searching for answers. Argentina now turn to Spain in Sunday's final; England face France in Saturday's third-place playoff in Miami, still chasing a first major trophy since 1966.
Argentina beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals at Atlanta Stadium on July 15. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernández (85') and Lautaro Martínez (90+2') scored late for Argentina, both assisted by Lionel Messi, to send Argentina into the final.
Trailing 1-0 with five minutes left, Argentina equalised when Lionel Messi's pass released Enzo Fernández to curl home from distance. Deep into stoppage time, Messi then crossed for substitute Lautaro Martínez to head in the winner after an Alexis Mac Allister header had struck the post.
Pickford made three saves, including two big-chance stops, most notably turning away a close-range header from Nico González to keep England ahead in the second half. He finished on the losing side despite facing 15 Argentine shots to England's five.
Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final at New Jersey's stadium on Sunday, July 19. England play France, beaten by Spain in the first semi-final, in the third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday, July 18.