World Cup: Argentina strike twice late to beat England, set up final with Spain

Defending champions Argentina scored two goals in the closing minutes to beat England 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, reaching the 2026 World Cup final where they will meet Spain on Sunday.

England looked set for a first final in 60 years when Anthony Gordon put them ahead in the 55th minute, tapping home Morgan Rogers’ cross in transition.

But the lead held only until the 85th minute, when Enzo Fernández levelled the score, striking from distance after Argentina had spent much of the second half pressing for an equaliser.

The winner came deep into stoppage time. Lautaro Martínez headed home in the 92nd minute, and Lionel Messi supplied the assist, his second of the night after also setting up Fernández. Messi finished the match with two assists.

Argentina controlled the ball for long stretches, holding 64 per cent possession and outshooting England 14 to 6, but England’s early efficiency kept the tie level until the final act.

Alexis Mac Allister had earlier struck the inside of the post as Argentina turned the screw.

The result extends Argentina’s run of narrow escapes at this tournament. La Albiceleste advanced past Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and completed a comeback against Egypt before Wednesday’s rally.

They had not met England in a knockout match since 1998, and the two had not faced each other on the pitch in 21 years. Wednesday also marked the first time Messi had faced England at a World Cup.

Victory keeps alive Argentina’s bid to retain the title they won in 2022. No nation has won back-to-back World Cups in 70 years, and Argentina are chasing a fourth star to add to their three titles. For England, the wait goes on: their only World Cup win came on home soil in 1966, and they have not reached a final since.

Argentina will face Spain, who booked their place on Tuesday. Spain reached the final after beating France 2-0 in the first semifinal. England now drop into the third-place playoff against France, scheduled for Saturday.

The final is set for Sunday, July 19, as Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni’s side once again finds a way through in the tournament’s decisive moments.