Argentina beats England 2-1 to reach World Cup final vs Spain
In Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Argentina overturned England’s 1‑0 lead to win 2‑1 and book a place in the FIFA World Cup final. England took the advantage in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon headed a Morgan Rogers cross past Jordan Pickford. Argentina equalised in the 85th minute after Lionel Messi’s precise pass found Enzo Fernández, whose long‑range strike beat the keeper. Two minutes later, Messi delivered another cross that Lautaro Martínez headed in for the winner in the 92nd minute of extra time.
Messi’s two assists were pivotal, and the comeback mirrors Argentina’s earlier late‑goal triumph over Egypt in the round of 16. The South Americans will face European champions Spain in the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday. England’s loss sent manager Thomas Tuchel under criticism for defensive substitutions, and the team will play France for third place. Police in Atlanta separated Argentine and English supporters after the match to prevent clashes.
The semifinal marked a historic repeat of the 1986 Argentina‑England encounter, with the Argentine side now poised to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back‑to‑back World Cups.