ATLANTA — Defending champions Argentina rallied with two late goals to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with Lionel Messi providing decisive assists as his team kept alive its bid to retain the title.
England looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Argentina, however, mounted a sustained late assault, with Enzo Fernandez equalising in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed home Messi's cross in second-half stoppage time to complete the comeback.
Messi, playing what is expected to be the final World Cup of his career, was central to Argentina's revival despite not scoring. The 39-year-old captain created both goals as Lionel Scaloni's side overturned the deficit to reach a second consecutive World Cup final.
The victory sends Argentina into Sunday's championship match against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain advanced by defeating France in the other semi-final. Argentina is seeking a fourth World Cup title and the first successful defence of the men's trophy since Brazil won back-to-back tournaments in 1958 and 1962.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said after the match that responsibility for the defeat rested with him after tactical changes failed to preserve his team's advantage.
"We became too passive," Tuchel said, acknowledging that Argentina seized control during the closing stages after England had led for much of the second half.
England captain Harry Kane also said his side retreated too deeply after taking the lead, allowing Argentina to build sustained pressure that ultimately produced the decisive turnaround.
Argentina entered the semi-final after victories over Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and Belgium, with Messi leading the tournament's scoring charts before the last four. Against England, however, his influence came primarily as a playmaker, supplying the passes that produced Fernandez's equaliser and Martinez's injury-time winner.
The result extends Argentina's unbeaten run in the tournament to seven matches and keeps the holders on course to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022. England will face France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina's attention turns to Sunday's final against Spain.
