Holders Argentina made a remarkable comeback with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to defeat England 2-1 and secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. This victory marks Argentina’s sixth consecutive win in World Cup semi-finals. The defending champions, led by Lionel Scaloni, will now face Spain in the final on Sunday in New York New Jersey.
England, appearing in their second semi-final in three World Cups, initially took the lead with a goal from Gordon off Morgan Rogers’ cross. However, Argentina quickly responded with Fernandez scoring from outside the box before Martinez headed in the winning goal in injury time. This win sets up Argentina’s opportunity to defend their title in the final.
Argentina joins an elite group of teams that have won the World Cup and returned to the final in the subsequent edition, following the likes of Italy, Brazil, and France. On the other hand, England, who have now lost three World Cup semi-finals, have only one final appearance to their credit from 1966. The match between Argentina and England was intense and closely contested, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance and resilience.
The game saw limited goal attempts in the first half, with Stones and Fernandez coming close but failing to score. The breakthrough moment arrived when Gordon netted for England, only to be answered by Fernandez and Martinez’s goals for Argentina. The match witnessed several close calls, with both teams pushing hard to secure a spot in the final.
In a dramatic turn of events, Messi, at 39 years and 21 days old, became the oldest outfield player to feature in a World Cup semi-final. His experience and skill were evident as he played a crucial role in Argentina’s late comeback. The match showcased the determination and skill of both teams, culminating in Argentina’s thrilling victory over England.
