New Jersey: Argentina secures World Cup final spot after late comeback against England

By Ngozi Eze — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina staged a dramatic late comeback, scoring twice in the final five minutes to defeat England 2-1 and secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The defending champions appeared to be heading for a loss after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the second half, but late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez ensured Argentina’s title defense continues.

The semi-final match, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, was a tense affair from the beginning, with both teams initially canceling each other out. The game marked the first FIFA World Cup match since 1966 to feature no shots on goal in the opening 30 minutes.

Second-half drama unfolds

England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Morgan Rogers delivered a precise cross to Anthony Gordon, who found the back of the net. Gordon became the first player from the previous Premier League season to score for England in the 2026 World Cup.

Following England’s goal, Argentina intensified their pressure. Nicolás González and Alexis Mac Allister both had opportunities, and Jordan Pickford made a crucial save to deny Enzo Fernández. However, Argentina’s persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Lionel Messi set up Fernández, who then struck a precise shot past Pickford to level the score.

With extra time seemingly imminent, Argentina found a winner deep into stoppage time. Messi once again provided a crucial assist, delivering a cross that Lautaro Martínez headed into an open net in the 92nd minute, sparking celebrations among the Argentine players and supporters.

Messi’s two assists in the match highlighted his significant impact, as Argentina reached their second consecutive World Cup final, having won the trophy four years prior.

England’s tactical approach

England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, made tactical changes during the match, bringing on additional defenders after Gordon’s goal. He replaced goal-scorer Anthony Gordon with Ezri Konsa and later introduced two more defenders, aiming to strengthen the defense. This approach saw England drop deeper, even before Tuchel switched to a back five, a formation that had previously been effective for the Three Lions under pressure against Mexico.

Despite these defensive adjustments, England was unable to hold onto their lead. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez converted Messi’s assists, maintaining Argentina’s perfect record in World Cup semi-finals. After the match, Tuchel commented on his team’s performance, stating, “We were just not active enough in any structure. We didn’t find any duels, any activity, we couldn’t get close anymore. We struggled to defend crosses.”

The defeat marked another disappointing end to a promising campaign for England. Captain Harry Kane reached a milestone during the match, earning his 121st international cap and becoming the country’s most-capped outfield player, surpassing Wayne Rooney. Only former goalkeeper Peter Shilton has more appearances for England.

Scaloni praises team’s mentality

Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed his joy and admiration for his team’s performance, particularly their ability to thrive under pressure. He described the occasion as unique and highlighted the determination and unity within his squad. Scaloni stated, “I’m speechless. A joy for our country, our people. The other day I said that this group never ceases to amaze me.”

He emphasized the team’s spirit, brotherhood, and refusal to give up, fighting until the very end. Scaloni believes this Argentina side is creating its own legacy, with their semi-final performance ranking among the nation’s finest. He noted that the team plays its best when under pressure and goes for it when they sense weakness.

Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s final. This match is anticipated to be a significant clash between the South American champions and the reigning European champions. Argentina will aim to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.

Source: goal.com