Argentina scored twice in the closing minutes to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta on Wednesday, breaking Three Lions hearts and booking a place in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
For long periods, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked destined for Sunday’s showpiece after Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the second half. But Enzo Fernandez’s thunderous equaliser and Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner completed a stunning turnaround that sent Lionel Scaloni’s men into the final.
The semi-final was a tense, physical affair from the outset, with neither side able to establish any attacking rhythm before the break. Crunching tackles, repeated stoppages and a flurry of yellow cards overshadowed the football, while Elliot Anderson found himself at the centre of several robust challenges as Argentina battled fiercely for midfield control.
Despite the intensity, clear-cut chances were almost non-existent. Neither goalkeeper was tested in the opening 45 minutes, with both teams failing to register a shot on target.
Argentina emerged after the interval with greater urgency. Julian Alvarez twice forced Jordan Pickford into action, while Enzo Fernandez threatened from distance as Lionel Messi began to dictate proceedings with increasing influence.
Yet it was England who struck first.
Morgan Rogers burst down the right before delivering an inviting cross towards the back post, where Anthony Gordon timed his run to perfection and calmly steered his finish beyond Emiliano Martinez to hand England a priceless lead.
Rather than push for a second goal, England gradually retreated, allowing Argentina to dominate possession. The pressure mounted as Alexis Mac Allister headed against the post from Rodrigo De Paul’s cross, a warning sign that proved impossible to ignore.
Scaloni’s attacking changes kept Argentina on the front foot, while Tuchel looked to preserve his advantage with defensive substitutions. The momentum continued to swing towards the South Americans.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 86th minute. Messi caught England’s defence off guard with a clever short free-kick, rolling the ball into the path of Fernandez, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area that flew beyond Pickford to level the match.
England were still reeling when Argentina delivered the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
Messi once again provided the inspiration, curling a superb cross into the penalty area where Lautaro Martinez rose above the England defence to power a header past Pickford and complete a remarkable comeback.
Tuchel introduced Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford in a desperate search for an equaliser during more than 10 minutes of added time, but Argentina defended resolutely to seal one of the tournament’s most dramatic victories.
Scaloni’s side will now face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, while England must regroup quickly for the third-place play-off against France after seeing their dream of lifting the trophy slip away in agonising fashion.
