Argentina booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final after coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 in a thrilling semifinal at Atlanta Stadium.
England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Enzo Fernández equalized for Argentina in the 85th minute, bringing the match back level.
In the first minute of nine minutes of stoppage time, Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive winner to send the reigning champions into the final.
The match began with a tense and physical first half, during which Argentina committed 12 fouls compared with seven by England.
Clear scoring opportunities were limited before halftime, but the second half produced far more action. England struck first, yet Argentina responded with determination, led by Lionel Messi, who provided the assists for both goals that secured his team’s place in the final.
England manager Thomas Tuchel made three substitutions, including two in defense by introducing Reece James and Jed Spence in place of Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly, while Morgan Rogers replaced Arsenal winger Noni Madueke in midfield.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni surprised many by starting Giuliano Simeone instead of Rodrigo De Paul, one of Argentina’s regular midfielders and Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami.
Argentina, who have now reached their second consecutive World Cup final and the seventh in the nation’s history, will face Spain in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City. Spain advanced after defeating France 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday.
Argentina will be aiming to win their fourth World Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1978, 1986, and 2022.
The final will mark the first time in World Cup history that the reigning champions of South America and Europe meet in the tournament’s final. It will also be the first all-Spanish-speaking World Cup final since Uruguay faced Argentina in 1930.
England, meanwhile, failed to reach the World Cup final for the third time, following previous semifinal defeats in 1990 and 2018, and will play France in Saturday’s third-place playoff in Miami.
This will be Argentina’s seventh World Cup final, following appearances in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, 2022, and now 2026. They were runners-up in 1930, 1990, and 2014, losing to Uruguay, West Germany, and Germany, respectively, while winning the title in 1978, 1986, and 2022 against the Netherlands, West Germany, and France.
The victory was Argentina’s fourth in 15 meetings with England, alongside five draws and six defeats. Argentina also eliminated England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico, where Diego Maradona scored his two iconic goals, and again in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup in France on penalties.
