Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal on July 15, securing a place in the final against Spain after late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
The match turned in the final minutes as Fernandez equalized in the 85th minute before Martinez scored the winner in stoppage time, both set up by Lionel Messi. England had led since Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike but could not hold off Argentina’s late surge.
Late drama decides Argentina vs England
England appeared on course for their first World Cup final since 1966 after Gordon’s goal, but Argentina’s relentless pressure paid off. Fernandez fired in from 20 meters after Messi’s pass, then Martinez headed home Messi’s cross in the 92nd minute following Alexis Mac Allister’s shot off the post.
Messi, playing what is likely his final World Cup at 39, provided both the assist for the equalizer and the cross for the winner. Martinez, an 81st-minute substitute, called the moment “really emotional,” adding, “Enzo scored a brilliant goal and I’m confident this team is continuing to show what it’s made of.”
England’s heartbreak after strong display
England captain Harry Kane said his team was “gutted” after failing to withstand Argentina’s late assault. “We played a good game for the large majority of it,” Kane said. “Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on. At this level, it’s not enough.”
The semifinal lived up to the rivalry’s history, with tempers flaring early and Argentina’s fans dominating the atmosphere in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Gordon’s goal had given England hope, but Argentina’s late dominance sealed their passage to the final.
