Argentina staged a thrilling comeback to defeat England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, securing a spot in the final against Spain.
Defending champions Argentina showcased their resilience once again, overcoming a one-goal deficit to defeat England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal held on Wednesday at New York New Jersey Stadium. With this victory, Argentina has advanced to its seventh World Cup final, where they will face Spain on Sunday.
The match began with a cautious pace, as both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. The first significant chance came in the 33rd minute when England’s John Stones headed a free kick from Declan Rice wide of the goal.
England took the lead early in the second half, with Anthony Gordon finding the net, putting the Three Lions on the brink of their first World Cup final appearance in 60 years. However, Argentina’s determination shone through in the closing stages of the match.
In a dramatic turnaround, two late goals from Enzo Fernández and substitute Lautaro Martínez, both assisted by Lionel Messi, sealed the victory for Argentina. The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Alexis Mac Allister’s shot rebounded off the post. Messi kept the play alive with a precise cross to the far post, where Martínez finished from close range, completing the comeback.
“I dreamed it, I swear,” Martínez said after the match. “I told Alexis that I was going to score. I told Facu Medina on the bench that I was going to come on and I was going to win it. And it fell to me.”
Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed immense pride in his team’s performance and resilience. “No words, no words. A joy for our country, for our people,” he said. “The other day, I said this group never stops surprising me. And I’ll tell you the truth, we’re going to try to win, we’re going to leave everything out there, but after this, it’s very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. It’s incredible. We are unique, truly, and it’s not arrogance, it’s from the heart. We are unique. These people today carried us to win the match, so I’m grateful.”
The match also marked several milestones. At 39 years and 21 days old, Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semifinal, surpassing the previous record held by Fritz Walter and Gunnar Gren. Additionally, Harry Kane made his 121st appearance for England, setting a new record for an outfield player with the national team. Martínez also made history by becoming the first Argentine substitute to score in both the quarterfinals and semifinals of the same World Cup.
As Argentina prepares to face Spain in the final, they aim to defend the world title they secured in Qatar four years ago. The anticipation for the final is palpable, with fans eager to see if Argentina can continue their remarkable journey in this tournament.
According to The American Bazaar, the upcoming final promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for the prestigious trophy.