Argentina are through to the FIFA World Cup final after a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi producing two assists in a decisive late surge. England led 1–0 deep into the second half, but Argentina struck in the 85th minute and again in the 92nd to turn the semifinal on its head and keep alive their bid to win back-to-back World Cups.
The result sends Argentina into Sunday’s final in East Rutherford against Spain, while England’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup final on foreign soil were undone by a seven-minute spell of Argentina execution and Messi’s creativity at the key moments.
How the semifinal swung in Argentina’s favour
The match carried the edge expected of a historically loaded rivalry, and the first half reflected that tension. The opening period was described as highly fractious and repeatedly interrupted by physical clashes, with challenges flying in early as both sides struggled to establish rhythm. With neither team able to impose sustained control, the first half ended 0–0.
The game opened up after the interval, and England broke through in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers curled a cross from the right flank toward the back post, where Anthony Gordon got free to steer a finish past Emiliano Martínez for a 1–0 lead.
With the advantage secured, England shifted into a defensive low block and were forced to absorb extended pressure. Argentina pushed for an equaliser, and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action, producing a fingertip save to deny substitute Nico González. Argentina also went close when Alexis Mac Allister hit the post with a header, moments that underlined the mounting threat as England tried to protect their narrow lead.
Argentina’s breakthrough arrived in the 85th minute from a short-corner routine. Messi laid the ball off to Enzo Fernández, who unleashed a fierce, curving long-range effort into the far corner to make it 1–1 and change the tone of the semifinal instantly.
England, described as reeling with their structural composure shaken, could not reset quickly enough. Two minutes into stoppage time, Messi found space on the flank and delivered a pinpoint cross after shifting the ball onto his right foot. Substitute Lautaro Martínez met it with a five-yard header, leaping between John Stones and Reece James to score the 92nd-minute winner and complete the turnaround.
At the final whistle, Messi dropped to his knees in celebration as Argentina sealed a place in the showpiece match.
What it means: Argentina set up final with Spain
Argentina’s 2–1 win puts them one game away from matching the feat of winning back-to-back World Cups, with Spain now standing in their way in East Rutherford on Sunday. The semifinal also reinforced Messi’s influence in defining moments: with Argentina trailing late, he delivered the two assists that directly flipped the result, first teeing up Fernández’s equaliser and then providing the cross for Martínez’s stoppage-time header.
For England, the defeat is a bitter end to a match they led from the 55th minute and nearly carried through to full time. Their retreat into a defensive shape invited sustained pressure, and despite Pickford’s key save and Argentina striking the post, they were ultimately undone by the late equaliser and the decisive stoppage-time goal.
Argentina now move on to a final billed as an epic conclusion to the tournament, with the defending champions still alive and one win from retaining their crown.