Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
England allowed a lead to slip through their hands in the second 2026 World Cup semifinal, succumbing 2-1 to Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Three Lions looked on course for their first final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon put them ahead 10 minutes into the second half, but La Albiceleste roared back late in the game through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, securing a place in the final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
Following a cagey start, late tackles and aggressive nudges set the tone inside the first 10 minutes, while neither side created any notable scoring opportunities. England, however, settled as the better team on the ball, playing most of their football inside their own half.
The Three Lions continued to see most of the ball leading up to the 20-minute mark, while Djed Spence and Reece James found space on the flanks attempting to breach the Argentina backline.
Argentina, on the other hand, had moments in possession with the hydration break looming but failed to trouble the England defence. The 2022 World Champions increased their pressure as the half came to a close, while Lionel Messi provided the loudest cheer of the first 45 by evading three England players before being fouled in the middle of the pitch.
Nonetheless, the half ended with the score tied at 0-0 as Enzo Fernandez came closest to breaking the deadlock following a venomous shot at Jordan Pickford that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The game sprung to life when England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute after capitalizing on a swift transition move into the Argentina half. With Morgan Rogers playing a dangerous cross into the box, Anthony Gordon evaded his marker with a tap in at the far post.
Argentina came agonisingly close to scoring the leveller shortly before the second hydration break after Nico Gonzalez forced a point-blank save from Pickford, after Messi teased the England backline with a dangerous cross into the box.
Alexis Mac Allister struck the upright in the 75th minute following a pin-point cross from Rodrigo De Paul on the edge of the area, while the Liverpool man summoned Pickford into action a minute later with another headed effort at goal.
Argentina piled on the pressure during the closing stages of the match, creating several major opportunities through players like Fernandez, De Paul and Messi.
Fernandez finally grabbed the equalizer in the 85th minute in stunning fashion after Argentina applied relentless pressure going forward. With the Chelsea midfielder collecting the ball following a corner situation, Fernandez rifled in a shot from range, much to the delight of the pro Argentina crowd in Atlanta.
With wind in their backs and energy in their legs, Argentina took the lead in the 92nd minute owing to a clutch effort by second-half substitute Lautaro Martinez. While Messi waited on the right wing, the Inter Miami star whipped in a right-footed cross which was expertly met by Martinez with a clinical header.
As Argentina celebrated with their supporters after the match, the South Americans will now prepare to battle against Spain in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday, 19 July.
Argentina: (0) 2 (Fernandez 85’, Lautaro Martinez 90+2’)
England: (0) 1 (Gordon 55’)
Argentina: Martinez, Tagliafico (Lautaro Martinez 80’), Lisandro Martinez (Otamendi 72’), Romero, Molina (Montiel 72’), Fernandez, Mac Allister, Paredes (Gonzalez 64’), Simeone (De Paul 72’), Alvarez, Messi
England: Pickford, James (Burn 82’), Stones (Toney 96’), Guehi, Spence (Rashford 96’), Rice (O’Reilly 83’), Anderson, Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon (Konsa 71’), Kane
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