Match Report: England 1-2 Argentina

Lautaro Martínez scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and book their place in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi inspired the comeback with two late assists as the defending champions kept their hopes of retaining the trophy alive. Argentina will now face European champions Spain in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

England looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave them the lead early in the second half.

However, Argentina produced another remarkable comeback, just as they had done against Egypt in the Round of 16, scoring twice in the closing minutes to break English hearts.

The victory means Argentina remain on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.

Messi is now on course to become only the second player after Cafu to appear in three World Cup finals, should he feature on Sunday.

The match was fiercely contested from the opening whistle, with both sides battling hard in midfield and committing several fouls during a tense first half that produced very few clear chances.

England finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Harry Kane helped start the move before Morgan Rogers delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Anthony Gordon timed his run perfectly to finish from close range.

Argentina pushed forward in search of an equaliser and almost found one when Jordan Pickford made an excellent save to deny substitute Nico González’s header.

Pickford produced another fine save to stop Enzo Fernández from long range, but he could do nothing moments later. Messi found Fernández just outside the penalty area, and the Chelsea midfielder controlled the ball before firing a powerful shot into the net in the 85th minute to bring the defending champions level.

With England struggling to hold on, Argentina continued to attack. Mac Allister hit the post before Lautaro Martínez completed the comeback in the second minute of stoppage time, heading home Messi’s superb cross to send Argentina into the World Cup final.

England’s players were left devastated after seeing their dream of reaching the final slip away in the closing moments, while Argentina celebrated another unforgettable comeback and a chance to defend their world title.

England will now turn their attention to Saturday’s third-place play-off at the Miami Stadium, where they will face an impressive France side for the chance to finish the tournament with the bronze medal and end their World Cup campaign on a high.