Late drama stuns England
England's 60-year wait for a World Cup final appearance will go on after a devastating late collapse against Argentina in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Leading 1-0 with just five minutes of normal time remaining thanks to Anthony Gordon's composed second-half finish, the Three Lions capitulated under relentless pressure as Enzo Fernandez lashed in an 85th-minute equaliser before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed a heart-breaking 92nd-minute winner in Atlanta.
The holders, inspired by Lionel Messi who provided the assist for the decisive goal, completed a stunning comeback that leaves them one win away from retaining the trophy. Argentina will face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey, while England must regroup for a third-place play-off against France on Saturday in Miami.
Tuchel's defensive gamble backfires
England boss Thomas Tuchel, renowned for his knockout expertise, made a series of defensive substitutions immediately after Gordon's 55th-minute opener. The tactical shift, designed to protect the lead, instead invited wave after wave of Argentina attacks. Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett observed: "It feels overridingly that Tuchel got that wrong. The man who the FA employed because of his brilliant tactical nous in knockout games has to hold his hands up."
"England scored and had the upper hand, and Tuchel immediately shifted to try to hold what they had. Sitting deep for more than half an hour with stoppage time to go shifted all the momentum to Argentina. There were warning signs aplenty before they scored the equaliser, and more before the winner. Argentina could have scored more, hitting the post twice in a mad last quarter of the game."
England's only efforts of note after taking the lead came from set-pieces, while Argentina hit the post through Alexis Mac Allister and forced Jordan Pickford into a superb save from Nico Gonzalez. The equaliser felt inevitable when Fernandez arrowed a long-range shot into the bottom corner, and Martinez's header from Messi's cross sent the Atlanta Stadium into delirium.
Match timeline
55': GOAL! Gordon slots home from Morgan Rogers' cross to give England the lead.
76': Mac Allister heads against the post for Argentina.
85': GOAL! Fernandez fires a stunning strike from distance to level.
90+2': GOAL! Martinez rises highest to nod in Messi's delivery and seal a dramatic win.