Argentina defeated England and qualified for the Final of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

• Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2–1 in Atlanta.

• Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored the goals that secured qualification.

• La Albiceleste will face Spain on Sunday, July 19 in the Final.

The Argentina National Team defeated England 2–1 in the Semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The team managed by Lionel Scaloni overturned the score in the final minutes and will play in its second consecutive World Cup Final.

Argentina completed a late comeback

England opened the scoring in the second half through Anthony Gordon. The European side held the lead until the closing stages of the match, but Argentina continued pushing for an equalizer.

The comeback began in the 86th minute, when Lionel Messi assisted Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder made it 1–1 with a strike from outside the box.

Argentina completed the comeback in stoppage time. Messi delivered a cross into the area and Lautaro Martínez headed home the 2–1 winner. The goal secured Argentina’s place in the Final.

Semifinals

England 1–2 Argentina

Goals

• Anthony Gordon — England

• Enzo Fernández, 86’ — Argentina

• Lautaro Martínez, 90+1’ — Argentina

Messi was decisive with two assists

Lionel Messi was directly involved in both Argentine goals.

The captain assisted Enzo Fernández for the equalizer and then delivered the cross for Lautaro Martínez’s header. His contribution was decisive in Argentina’s comeback and qualification for the Final.

At 39 years old, Messi will play in another World Cup Final. The captain will aim to lead Argentina in defending the title won in 2022.

Argentina will play its second consecutive Final

La Albiceleste reached the Final for the second edition in a row, following their triumph in Qatar 2022.

It will also be Argentina’s seventh World Cup Final, after those played in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, and 2022.

Argentina reached this stage after finishing first in Group J and advancing through three knockout rounds. They eliminated Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England on their path to the Final.

The Final will be against Spain

Argentina will face Spain, who defeated France 2–0 in the other semifinal. The decisive match will be played on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey). (FIFA)

Final

• Spain vs. Argentina

• July 19

• New York/New Jersey Stadium

CONMEBOL will have a representative in the Final

Argentina will represent CONMEBOL in the Final of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The reigning two-time Copa América champion will seek to defend the world title and win the fourth World Cup in its history.