Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semifinal, turning the match around with two late goals in Atlanta. England looked on course for a place in the final after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in the 90+2nd minute.
The first half was intense but cautious, with both teams aware of the weight of the occasion. England tried to stay compact and limit Argentina’s central combinations, while Argentina looked to control possession through midfield and bring Lionel Messi into dangerous pockets of space. Clear chances were limited before halftime, as both defensive units kept their shape and avoided unnecessary risks.
England improved after the break and found the breakthrough in the 55th minute. Anthony Gordon scored to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a 1-0 lead, rewarding England’s more direct attacking approach. The goal shifted the emotional balance of the match, forcing Argentina to take more risks and leaving England with the challenge of protecting their advantage.
For a long period, England appeared capable of managing the game. They defended deep, tried to slow the rhythm and looked for counterattacking moments through their wide players. However, the strategy also invited Argentina to build sustained pressure around the penalty area. As the second half progressed, Argentina began to dominate territory and push England further back.
The equaliser came in the 85th minute. Enzo Fernández found the net after Argentina’s pressure finally broke through England’s defensive block. The goal changed everything. England, who had spent much of the second half defending their lead, suddenly had to respond emotionally and tactically with very little time remaining.
Argentina then completed the comeback in stoppage time. In the 90+2nd minute, Messi kept the ball alive and delivered a decisive cross into the area, where Lautaro Martínez arrived to score the winning goal. It was a classic knockout moment: experience, patience and individual quality combining at exactly the right time.
From a tactical perspective, Argentina’s victory was built on persistence and late-game belief. They did not panic after falling behind and used their attacking depth effectively. England showed discipline for much of the match, but their increasingly passive approach after taking the lead allowed Argentina to gain momentum.
With this result, Argentina advance to the World Cup final, where they will face Spain. The defending champions now have the chance to win another global title and strengthen their modern football legacy. England, meanwhile, miss out on the final after another painful semifinal defeat and will face France in the third-place playoff.