World Cup: Argentina leave it late to stun England
A late pair of goals by Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez helped Argentina reach the World Cup final after a 2-1 comeback win over England. Get the latest from Atlanta with the Ligue 1 McDonald's team.
A battling first half
In a match played indoors in Atlanta, Argentina were ready from the off, with a battle-tested eleven that included former Paris Saint-Germain players Lionel Messi and Leandro Pardes, as well as Lyon's left back Nicolás Tagliafico. As for England, the headline was a changed defence that included fit-again Reece James and Djed Spence, who had come off the bench in the Three Lions' previous matches.
The first half was played largely without incident -- the two goalkeepers would combine for just four saves over the course of a match played largely in midfield. England's best chance came form a free kick just past the half hour, but John Stones' free header was wide of the target. For the Albiceleste, they would come no closer than a speculative effort from Enzo Fernández (38'), and the first half finished scoreless.
Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/vwgcqbj8ju
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 15, 2026
Messi makes the difference
The second half, however, showed far more of each side's quality, but it was England who struck first, with Anthony Gordon's dangerous play on the counter once again making the difference as it had against Mexico, but not before Julián Alvarez forced a fine near-post save from Jordan Pickford on the counter (47'). Gordon's goal, however, was a thing of beauty, as the Barcelona man prodded home a teasing cross from Morgan Rogers (55').
With time winding down, however, it was the inevitable Messi who would take control to secure his country's place in a third final in four World Cups. From the cooling break on, Argentina were the more dangerous, with Pickford first making a fine save to deny Nico González (68') before Alexis Mac Allister hit the post (75').
Their breakthrough would finally come six minutes from time, though, with Messi setting up Fernández at the edge of the area, the Chelsea man leveling the match with a powerful strike on 85 minutes. Then, in the second minute of added time, Messi played provider again, just seconds after Mac Allister had hit the base of the post. After a mazy run on the right, Messi turned and played in a teasing cross to substitute Lautaro Martínez at the back post, leaving England shocked and sealing Argentina's place in Sunday's final.
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