Messi's stoppage-time assist sends Argentina past England into World Cup final

Lionel Messi inspired one of Argentina's greatest fightbacks, setting up two second-half goals as the defending champions came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, USA, on Wednesday, 15 July.

The result sends Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will meet Spain on Sunday, 19 July, at New Jersey Stadium. Argentina, champions in Qatar in 2022, are chasing a fourth World Cup title. Spain, champions in 2010, reached their first final in 16 years after beating France in the other semi-final.

For Messi, the victory brings him to the brink of a second World Cup title in what is widely regarded as his final tournament appearance after two decades representing Argentina.

England had taken the lead in the 55th minute. According to a match report by The Guardian, Morgan Rogers supplied a cross from the right after Harry Kane's ball forward, and Anthony Gordon evaded Nahuel Molina to finish from close range, sending the England supporters into raptures.

Argentina pressed for an equaliser through the second half. Alexis Mac Allister struck the post with a header, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Julián Álvarez and Nico González with a string of saves, according to The Guardian's report.

The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute. Argentina worked a short corner routine through Messi, and Enzo Fernández struck a powerful drive from outside the area that beat Pickford to level the score.

Argentina then completed the turnaround in stoppage time. Mac Allister's effort came back off the post, and Messi collected the loose ball before crossing from the right with his right foot. Substitute Lautaro Martínez rose at the far post to head in the winner, according to Good Morning America's report on the match.

Thomas Tuchel's England had switched to a back five in the closing stages in an attempt to protect their lead, a decision that proved costly as Argentina's late pressure told.

The contest was shaped by physicality and history from the outset. Both sides committed numerous fouls in a tense first half that yielded few clear chances, with John Stones heading a free-kick wide for England and Enzo Fernández firing narrowly off target for Argentina.

Argentina's defence was stretched by bookings for both first-choice centre-backs, Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero, though the pairing held firm until the goal.

England's exit ends their bid for a first World Cup final appearance since 1966. They will play France for third place in Miami on Saturday, 18 July.

Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, fielded a 4-4-2 formation with Messi and Julián Álvarez leading the attack, while Tuchel set England up in a 4-2-3-1 with Kane as the focal point, supported by Gordon, Jude Bellingham and Rogers.

The final between Argentina and Spain on 19 July will decide the champion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.