Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after staging a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday. Lionel Messi inspired the turnaround with two late assists as Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez scored in the final minutes to cancel out Anthony Gordon's second-half opener and send Lionel Scaloni's side into Sunday's title clash against Spain. England, meanwhile, will face France in the third-place playoff.
The semifinal lived up to its billing from the opening whistle, with both sides locked in a fiercely contested battle. Tempers flared early after Enzo Fernandez's challenge on Elliot Anderson sparked a confrontation involving players from both teams. England's discipline was tested further when Anderson became the first player booked after bringing down Messi during one of the Argentina captain's trademark dribbles, while Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were also cautioned for robust challenges as the physical contest continued.
After a goalless first half, England struck first in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers created space down the flank before sending in a dangerous cross towards the far post where Anthony Gordon ghosted past his marker to convert from close range for his first World Cup goal.
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The Three Lions looked in control as Jordan Pickford produced a series of crucial interventions, including a stunning one-handed save to deny Nicolas Gonzalez after Alexis Mac Allister had twice struck the woodwork.
With time running out, Scaloni threw on Lautaro Martinez in an attacking gamble, and the change paid immediate dividends. In the 85th minute, Messi attracted multiple defenders onto him before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Enzo Fernandez, who hammered home the equaliser beating Pickford from outside the box.
Deep into stoppage time, the Argentina captain produced another moment of brilliance, floating a precise delivery into the six-yard box for Lautaro Martinez to head home the winner and complete a stunning comeback.
The result extended Argentina's unbeaten run at the FIFA World Cup to 13 matches and kept alive their bid to become only the third nation to successfully defend the World Cup title after Italy and Brazil. For England, it was another painful knockout exit against elite opposition, as the Three Lions' wait for a first World Cup final since 1966 continued despite Thomas Tuchel's side coming within minutes of a famous victory.
England will now face France in the Bronze Final, also known as the third-place playoff, on July 18, while Argentina will take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 as the defending champions chase back-to-back titles.
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