Lautaro Martinez's 92nd-minute header secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Argentina over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final at the Atlanta Stadium, propelling the defending champions into a second consecutive final.
England, looking to reach their first final since 1966, took the lead early in the second half through Anthony Gordon's well-taken goal. But Argentina, energized by captain Lionel Messi, staged a stunning late comeback. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute with a fierce strike from distance before substitute Lautaro Martinez rose to head home Messi's pinpoint cross deep into stoppage time.
Key Moments
England had appeared in control after Gordon's opener, but manager Thomas Tuchel's defensive substitutions invited pressure. Argentina, who had been wasteful for much of the match, found their rhythm when it mattered most. Messi, quiet for spells, delivered the decisive moment of quality, curling a cross that Martinez directed past a helpless Jordan Pickford.
The Argentina bench erupted as the goal went in, while England's players sank to the turf in despair. For the Three Lions, the wait for a major final goes on.
Player Ratings Highlight England's Efforts
Despite the defeat, several England players earned praise. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had little chance with either goal and made a stunning save from González that will be overlooked. Defender Djed Spence was particularly impressive, with a tackle described as "Bobby Moore-esque" by The Guardian. However, captain Harry Kane struggled to make an impact, a factor that may haunt England's post-mortem.
What's Next?
Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday, 19 July, with kick-off at 20:00 BST. England must regroup for the third-place play-off against France a day earlier at 22:00 BST. Both matches will be shown live in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the final also available on ITV. Radio coverage will be provided by BBC Radio 5 Live.
Argentina's road to back-to-back finals marks them as one of the great sides of this era, while England are left to rue what might have been after another semi-final heartbreak.
