Argentina defeated England 2-1 this Wednesday, July 15, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and qualified for the 2026 World Cup final, in which it will defend the title against Spain on Sunday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m.
The English team took the lead in the 55th minute. Anthony Gordon appeared at the far post, got ahead of the Argentine defense and converted a Morgan Rogers serve to beat Emiliano Martínez.
The goal forced Argentina to advance its lines against an England that retreated to protect the result. Jordan Pickford avoided the tie in several approaches, but the Argentine pressure increased during the final stretch.
Messi promoted the comeback
Argentina equalized in the 85th minute after a short play started from the corner kick. Lionel Messi found Enzo Fernández, who settled outside the area and beat Pickford with a long-range shot.
When the game seemed to be heading into extra time, Messi intervened again. The captain sent a cross into the area and Lautaro Martínez, who had entered as a substitute, rose between the defenders to score with a header to make it 2-1 at 90+2.
Messi’s two assists transformed a semifinal that England controlled for much of the second half and allowed Argentina to complete another comeback in the knockout rounds.
Argentina will defend the title
The Albiceleste will play against Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 in New Jersey. La Roja obtained the first ticket after defeating France 2-0 in the other semifinal.
Argentina will seek to become the first team to win two consecutive World Cups since Brazil, champions in 1958 and 1962. England, for its part, will play against France for third place.
The match left a new decisive performance by Messi. The captain did not score, but he was directly involved in the two goals with which Argentina avoided elimination and ensured the possibility of defending the crown won in Qatar 2022.