Argentina reaches World Cup final after 2‑1 semi‑final win over England

Argentina defeated England 2‑1 in the World Cup 2026 semi‑final at the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Enzo Fernández equalised with a long‑range strike and Lautaro Martínez scored the winning header in extra time after a Lionel Messi assist. The victory secures Argentina’s place in the final against Spain, scheduled for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

The win puts Argentina on track for a possible back‑to‑back World Cup title – a feat last achieved by Italy and Brazil. Enzo Fernández, who ten years earlier wrote a public letter begging Messi not to retire, received the decisive pass from his idol in the match, a moment highlighted in the coverage.

Broadcasts of the semi‑final and the upcoming final will be carried on TV Globo, SBT, SporTV, N Sports and streamed on platforms such as Globoplay and YouTube’s CazéTV. The result also sparked celebratory posts on social media, including a meme by Corinthians player Rodrigo Garro that mocked England’s Jesse Lingard.

If Argentina wins the final, they will join the exclusive group of nations that have won consecutive World Cups, underscoring the historic significance of the 2026 tournament for the South American side.