Enzo and Lautaro strike late as Argentina beat England to reach the World Cup final
Two goals in the final five minutes, both made by Lionel Messi, turned a losing semi-final into a place in the final for the holders.
Jul 15, 2026
Argentina looked beaten. With five minutes of normal time left in the World Cup semi-final at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, England were a goal up, in control, and closing in on a place in the final. Then the holders did what they have done all tournament and found a way through. Enzo Fernandez levelled it, Lautaro Martinez won it deep into stoppage time, and Argentina walked off with a 2-1 win and a place in the final against Spain.
For England, it was a cruel way to lose a match they had led and largely deserved to. For Argentina, it was another late escape, the kind of finish that has come to define their defence of the trophy they lifted in 2022.
Gordon’s opener had England in control
Thomas Tuchel’s side started the second half the brighter, and Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in the 55th minute. For the next half hour England managed the game well, pressing when they needed to and forcing Argentina into hopeful balls forward. Lionel Scaloni’s team could not find a rhythm, and the longer the lead held the more it looked like England would see it out.
That England could not add a second would come back to haunt them. A one-goal cushion against a side with Lionel Messi still on the pitch is never safe, and Argentina kept probing even as the clock ran down.
Fernandez and Martinez turn it around
The breakthrough came in the 85th minute, and Messi was behind it. His ball into the box found Fernandez, who struck it first time from around 20 yards and beat the England goalkeeper to make it 1-1 and change the whole feel of the tie. Suddenly it was Argentina pushing and England hanging on.
The winner arrived in the second minute of stoppage time, and again Messi was the creator. He clipped a cross to the far post, and substitute Martinez rose to head it home from close range and send the Argentine end into raptures. It was Messi’s second assist of the night. England barely had time to restart before the whistle went.
Spain await in the final
Argentina will now face Spain in the final on Sunday, 19 July, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain got there by beating France, so the reigning champions must beat one of the tournament’s most convincing sides to keep the trophy.
For Messi, it is a chance to close out what may be his final World Cup with another trophy. For Argentina as a whole, the manner of this comeback will only harden the belief that they can retain the title. England are left to reflect on a semi-final they controlled but could not close, and on how quickly a World Cup dream can unravel in five minutes.