Defending champions Argentina are through to yet another FIFA World Cup Final after producing a sensational late comeback to defeat England 2-1 in the second semi-final at Atlanta Stadium. Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass, providing two assists as Argentina overturned a one-goal deficit to book a blockbuster title clash against Spain.
The victory extends Argentina’s remarkable World Cup run and keeps alive their dream of successfully defending the title they won four years ago.
Cagey First Half Ends Goalless
The opening 45 minutes developed into a tactical contest, with both teams remaining disciplined defensively and allowing very few clear-cut opportunities.
England came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when John Stones headed narrowly wide from a Declan Rice free-kick. Argentina, meanwhile, were content to absorb pressure and look for opportunities on the counterattack.
The cautious approach from both sides was reflected in the statistics, as the teams combined for an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.08 during the opening half—the lowest recorded in the first half of a FIFA World Cup knockout match since records began in 1966.
Anthony Gordon Gives England the Lead
England finally broke the deadlock ten minutes after the restart.
Harry Kane dropped deep to begin the move before Morgan Rogers produced an excellent cross into the penalty area. Anthony Gordon timed his run perfectly and guided his finish beyond Emiliano Martínez to hand England a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.
The goal forced Argentina to push higher up the pitch, while England adopted a compact defensive shape in an attempt to protect their advantage.
Enzo Fernandez Levels the Score
Argentina’s persistence eventually paid off in the 85th minute.
After Jordan Pickford denied him moments earlier, Enzo Fernández unleashed a superb curling strike from outside the penalty area into the bottom-left corner to bring Argentina level.
Lionel Messi played a crucial role in the move, with VAR confirming that the Argentine captain was onside before awarding him the assist.
The contribution extended Messi’s incredible record to 11 consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances with either a goal or an assist, the longest such streak by any player since 1966.
Lautaro Martinez Seals Another Argentina Comeback
With momentum firmly on Argentina’s side, coach Lionel Scaloni introduced fresh legs, including Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martínez, to increase the attacking intensity.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time.
After Alexis Mac Allister struck the post, Messi reacted quickest to collect the loose ball before delivering a perfectly floated cross into the six-yard box. Substitute Lautaro Martínez rose highest to power home a header in the 90+2nd minute, completing another dramatic comeback for the defending champions.
Messi’s second assist of the night also extended another remarkable milestone. The Argentine captain has now either scored or assisted in each of his last 13 matches for club and country, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists during that outstanding run.
Argentina Dominate the Statistics
Although England opened the scoring, Argentina controlled much of the contest after the interval.
The reigning champions finished with:
| Match Statistics | Argentina | England |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Shots | 15 | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.84 | 0.53 |
The numbers reflected Argentina’s attacking dominance, particularly during the closing stages of the match.
Argentina vs Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Argentina will now meet Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, setting up one of the most anticipated title clashes in recent history.
The final will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium, where football fans could witness the first-ever FIFA World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, England’s impressive campaign comes to an end, with the Three Lions now preparing to face France in the third-place playoff.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final in India
Football fans in India can watch the Argentina vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Final live on ZEE5, with commentary available in Malayalam, English, Hindi, and Bangla.
The final will also be telecast on DD Sports for viewers using the DD Free Dish DTH platform, providing free access to one of football’s biggest matches.
With Messi once again inspiring Argentina on the biggest stage, the defending champions now stand just one victory away from retaining the FIFA World Cup trophy. All eyes will now turn to the final as Argentina and Spain battle for football’s ultimate prize.
