Argentina 2-1 England: Messi Inspires Late Comeback to Reach the World Cup 2026 Final

Defending champions Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a dramatic second semifinal of the World Cup 2026, played on Wednesday, July 15 in front of 68,239 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Two late goals — from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, both created by Lionel Messi — snatched the game away from an England side that had looked on course for the final. Argentina now meet Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19, after Spain beat France 2-0 the night before.

The result and kickoff time

The match kicked off at 11:00 PM Cairo time and, for over an hour, it was heading England's way. Instead, Argentina's champions produced exactly the kind of late rally that has defined this golden era, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win in the final five minutes plus stoppage time. You can follow every match minute by minute on our live scores page.

England take the lead

England were the better side for long spells and got their reward in the 55th minute. In a quick transition, Morgan Rogers delivered a cross that Anthony Gordon tapped home from close range for 1-0. It was a deserved lead on the balance of play, and for the next half hour England looked comfortable, controlling the tempo and keeping Argentina at arm's length.

The late collapse: Enzo and Lautaro strike

Then came the twist. In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernandez unleashed a long-range strike that flew past the England goalkeeper to make it 1-1 and completely shift the momentum. With the game seemingly heading to extra time, Argentina found a winner in the 92nd minute: Lautaro Martinez rose highest to head home and complete the comeback for 2-1. From a position of control, England were undone in a matter of minutes.

Messi the difference-maker

At the centre of both goals was Lionel Messi, who assisted each of Argentina's strikes. Even in the closing stages of his career, Messi remains the man Argentina turn to when they need something special, and it was his vision and delivery that unlocked a stubborn England defence twice in the space of seven minutes. It was a masterclass in how one player can decide the biggest games.

Why Argentina won

This was a victory built on belief and quality in the decisive moments. England did little wrong for 80 minutes, but Argentina's champions never stopped probing, and when the chances came, they had the composure and the world-class finishers to take them. The holders' experience in high-pressure knockout football — and Messi's genius — proved the difference between a good team and a great one.

Cards and controversy: was it unfair?

There were no red cards in the match. The most notable booking came late, when Rodrigo De Paul was shown a yellow card in the 90+3rd minute for unsporting behaviour as Argentina managed the closing moments. There was no major refereeing controversy or VAR drama that decided the outcome; Argentina simply won it with two pieces of genuine quality. England fans will feel heartbreak at losing a game they led so late, but it would be hard to call the result unfair — Argentina were ruthless when it mattered most.

Argentina into the final vs Spain

The comeback sets up a mouth-watering final. Argentina, the reigning champions, will face Spain, who dispatched France 2-0 in the first semifinal — read our full Spain vs France recap. The final takes place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. It pits Argentina's champion mentality and Messi's magic against Spain's control and youthful energy — a classic contrast of styles for the trophy.

England's near miss

For England, this is another painful semifinal exit, and one that will sting for a long time given how close they came. They matched the world champions for 80 minutes and led with five minutes of normal time to play, only to be caught by two moments of Argentine brilliance. There will be pride in the performance, but also familiar questions about closing out the biggest games. It was, in the end, a night that showed the fine margins between reaching a World Cup final and going home.

How to follow the final and predict the outcome

The final is now set, and you can read our complete World Cup 2026 final guide for the date, venue and road to the trophy, and follow the build-up on our live scores page. If you want to make your own prediction on Argentina vs Spain, you can do it on Arba777 with Egyptian pound support and an Arabic interface. Predicting is part of the fun — set a budget, don't chase losses, and treat it as entertainment.

Argentina's road to the final

Argentina's place in the final is the product of a battle-hardened campaign. On their way through the knockouts they came past Egypt in a dramatic Round of 16 tie and then beat Switzerland in the quarterfinal before this comeback over England. It is the mark of champions to keep finding a way even when they are not at their fluent best, and time after time in this tournament Argentina have leaned on their experience — and on Messi — to get over the line. That habit of winning the tight games is exactly what separates them at this stage.

A classic final in prospect

The July 19 final now offers a fascinating clash of identities. Argentina bring streetwise game management, ruthless finishing and the once-in-a-generation brilliance of Messi; Spain bring relentless possession, a high press and a fearless young core led by Lamine Yamal. It is champions versus challengers, experience versus energy — and for neutral fans across the Arab world and beyond, it promises to be a fitting climax to the tournament.

Where to watch the final

In the MENA region, the final and the build-up air on beIN Sports MAX and TOD. Kick-off details in Cairo time will be confirmed in the days before the match — keep an eye on our live scores page and our final guide for the exact time, the venue and everything you need to know before Argentina face Spain for the trophy.

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