Argentina came from a goal behind to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 (8:00 PM WAT), booking a final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez in the 92nd to complete a late, devastating comeback. It was Argentina’s 10th goal scored after the 75th minute at this tournament. England, who scored first in a World Cup semi-final for the second time in the past decade, lost it for the second time too.
The match itself was unlike any other semi-final in recent memory. Argentina arrived wearing their navy blue away kit instead of the traditional white-and-blue stripes, a deliberate choice given that kit’s connections to previous famous victories over England, specifically the 1986 “Hand of God” match and the 1998 penalty shootout.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the rivalry without feeding it. “The message is this is a football game,” he said before kick-off. “That’s what I can say. We will be playing against a very tough opponent.” His players, once the whistle blew, played it like considerably more than a football game.
Messi now holds the all-time record for World Cup assists with 12, according to Opta data. Ten of those have come in the knockout rounds. He has scored or assisted in 11 consecutive World Cup appearances.
Argentina are in the World Cup Final for the seventh time in their history, second only to Germany’s eight appearances. They reach back-to-back Finals for only the second time ever, having previously done so in 1986 and 1990. Spain await on Sunday.
Table of Contents
Match Details
- England 1-2 Argentina
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026 (8:00 PM WAT)
- Goalscorers: Anthony Gordon (55′, England), Enzo Fernández (85′, Argentina), Lautaro Martínez (90+2′, Argentina)
- Assists: Morgan Rogers (55′), Lionel Messi (85′, 90+2′)
- Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
- Player of the Match: Lionel Messi (Sofascore Rating: 8.0)
Also Read: Spain Smash France 2-0 to Reach the 2026 World Cup Final
Key Match Statistics
- England xG: 0.53, Argentina xG: 1.84
- England possession: 36%, Argentina: 64%
- Argentina big chances: 3, England big chances: 1
- Argentina shots: 15, England shots: 5
- Argentina touches in opposition box: 28, England: 7
- Argentina hit woodwork: twice (both Mac Allister)
- Pickford saves: 3, conceding 0.61 more than his xGOT suggested
- Emiliano Martinez saves: 1 (barely tested after Gordon’s goal)
- Argentina dribble success rate: 80% (12 of 15)
Goalless First Half Sets a World Cup Record
Nineteen fouls and zero shots on target. That was the first half. According to Opta, this was the first World Cup match on record (since reliable tracking began in 1966) to see no shot at all in the first 30 minutes. Both teams committed 19 fouls combined. The combined xG in the first half was just 0.08, the lowest in the first half of any World Cup knockout stage match on record.
Neither Messi, Kane, nor Bellingham registered a meaningful attack. John Stones headed wide from a Rice free kick in the 33rd minute for England’s first attempt. Elliot Anderson received a yellow card for fouling Messi. Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero both picked up yellow cards on the Argentine side. By halft-time, the match had produced more disciplinary notes than chances.
Gordon Strikes, England Sits Back: The Fatal Decision
England’s opening goal arrived beautifully. Lisandro Martínez headed a clearance only as far as Declan Rice, who found Morgan Rogers. Rogers whipped in a cross, and Gordon swept it home in the 55th minute with his first World Cup goal. England led. The celebrations were immediate.
What followed proved the decisive mistake. Tuchel introduced defensively minded substitutes, including Ezri Konsa for Gordon in the 72nd minute, and England retreated. According to NBC Sports reporting from Atlanta, England controlled only 36 percent of possession from that point forward and finished the match with five shots in total, only two on target. Bellingham and Kane, who had combined for 12 goals at this tournament entering the match, managed one shot between them across 90 minutes.
Argentina pressed relentlessly. Mac Allister headed off the left post and then hit the right post with a low drive. Nico González’s glancing header drew a brilliant save from Pickford. England were hanging on. Eventually, they could not.
Messi Delivers Two Assists in Seven Minutes
Fernández equalised in the 85th minute. Messi received the ball on the left, drew defenders toward him, and played a measured pass to Fernández, who bent a superb finish around the crowd and into the far corner. Pickford could not reach it. England were level.
In the second minute of nine added, Mac Allister’s low drive rebounded off the right post. Messi collected the rebound, recycled play calmly, and lifted a cross into the box. Lautaro Martínez arrived unmarked and thumped a header into the top left corner. Argentina led for the first time. The final whistle followed minutes later.
Sunday in New Jersey
Spain vs Argentina. Reigning European champions against reigning World Cup holders. The 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday will also be the first-ever World Cup Final between the UEFA Euro winners and the Copa América winners in the same year. England leave Atlanta having lost their third World Cup semi-final in succession. Jude Bellingham is 22. The road back starts now.
Also Read: Who Will Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup From the Final Eight Teams
