Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final after coming from behind to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday in Atlanta, with both goals arriving in the closing stages to shatter the English side’s hopes of a first final appearance since 1966.
Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, converting a Morgan Rogers cross at the far post after Declan Rice played in a through ball from a Nicolás Tagliafico clearance. The goal sent England’s supporters into celebration and appeared to put Thomas Tuchel’s side on course for one of the tournament’s more historic results.
But England retreated into their own half and never seriously threatened to extend the lead. Argentina pressed relentlessly, and the equaliser came in the 81st minute when Lionel Messi found Enzo Fernández in open space. Fernández struck cleanly from 20 metres, sending the ball past Jordan Pickford into the top corner.
The winner followed in the 93rd minute. Alexis Mac Allister hit the post, Messi recovered the ball and drove down the right flank before delivering a cross that Lautaro Martínez, on as a substitute since the 81st minute, headed into the net.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was struggling to articulate the moment afterwards. “We are truly unique, and that’s not arrogance,” he said. “From the bottom of my heart, these players are the ones who led us to victory. I can’t find the words. This is joy for our country and our people.”
Martínez, whose headed goal sealed the comeback, described the moment in terms he had carried since childhood. “This is truly moving,” he said. “Since my father bought me my first pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring that goal. The match was extremely difficult today. Enzo scored a wonderful goal, and I’m certain this team will keep proving itself.”
For England captain Harry Kane, the defeat carried a familiar sting. “I feel so sad for the players and sad for everyone — the team, the staff, the fans,” he said. “We performed well for most of the game. Once we went 1-0 up, it seemed like we were just trying to hold on. At this level, that’s not enough. I feel so disappointed because we worked so hard to get here, and the players gave everything — sweat, blood and tears. Losing the way we did today is so disappointing.”
Tuchel said he felt no regrets. “The team gave everything and we were so, so close,” the German coach said. “The team was at the top of its level. We couldn’t get over the line — no — but right now I don’t feel any regret.”
The match was the latest chapter in one of football’s most charged rivalries, shaped by decades of iconic World Cup encounters and political undercurrents. The atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium reflected the imbalance in the stands: Argentina’s supporters filled the arena in light blue and white, their noise drowning out England fans attempting a pre-match rendition of “Sweet Caroline.” Ring announcer Michael Buffer set the tone before kick-off with his trademark call to arms, and the players appeared to take him literally — the first half produced more confrontations than clear chances.
The second half delivered the goals, and ultimately the story: a 39-year-old Messi, in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, setting up both goals in a two-minute period that eliminated England and kept Argentina’s title defence alive.
