Lionel Messi delivered two decisive assists as Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a dramatic 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium, booking a place in the final against Spain.
The defending champions looked destined for extra time after Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the second half. However, Messi once again produced when it mattered most, creating goals for Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez as Argentina completed a stunning late turnaround to reach a second consecutive World Cup final.
The match started cautiously, with both teams showing respect for each other’s attacking quality. England enjoyed more possession early on, while Argentina looked dangerous whenever Messi found space.
The first flashpoint arrived in the 12th minute when Elliot Anderson tangled with Enzo Fernandez following a challenge. Referee Ismail Elfath quickly stepped in to calm tempers, although England manager Thomas Tuchel was visibly frustrated on the touchline.
England created their best opportunity of the opening half in the 32nd minute. Jude Bellingham drove forward brilliantly before Fernandez brought him down outside the penalty area. Declan Rice floated an excellent free-kick towards John Stones, but the defender’s powerful header only found the side-netting.
Argentina responded seven minutes later when Messi played a clever short free-kick before Enzo Fernandez unleashed a fierce long-range strike that flew inches over the crossbar.
Neither side managed a breakthrough before the interval as the teams went into the dressing room level at 0-0. It proved to be an extremely tight contest, with the combined expected goals of just 0.08 marking the lowest first-half total ever recorded in a World Cup knockout match since records began in 1966.
Argentina nearly struck immediately after the restart. Julian Alvarez burst through after excellent work from Giuliano Simeone, but Jordan Pickford produced a smart save before England scrambled the rebound clear.
England eventually found the breakthrough in the 55th minute. Harry Kane dropped deep before Declan Rice regained possession and quickly released Morgan Rogers. The winger whipped a superb cross into the penalty area, where Anthony Gordon ghosted behind Nahuel Molina to calmly guide his finish past Emiliano Martinez for a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal continued Gordon’s outstanding run of form. The winger has now contributed six goals in his last seven England appearances, with two goals and four assists. He also became only the fourth England player to score at the 2026 World Cup after Kane, Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.
Argentina pushed for an equaliser, but England defended brilliantly. Djed Spence produced a perfectly timed tackle in the 58th minute to deny Simeone a clear scoring opportunity after another incisive Argentina attack.
England almost doubled their advantage midway through the second half when Rice tested Emiliano Martinez with a long-range effort, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper gathered comfortably.
As the match entered its closing stages, Argentina increased the pressure. Pickford made an outstanding reaction save in the 70th minute to deny substitute Nicolas Gonzalez after another dangerous Messi delivery.
Argentina came even closer six minutes later when Rodrigo De Paul’s pinpoint cross found Alexis Mac Allister, whose header crashed against the post with Pickford beaten. Moments later, Gonzalez headed narrowly wide after another brilliant cross from Messi, although the offside flag was eventually raised.
England’s resistance finally broke in the 85th minute. Messi found Fernandez in space outside the penalty area, and the Chelsea midfielder curled a superb strike into the bottom corner beyond Pickford to level the contest at 1-1.
The assist extended Messi’s remarkable record to 11 consecutive World Cup appearances with either a goal or an assist, the longest such run by any player since records began in 1966.
With nine minutes of added time announced, both sides searched desperately for a winner. Argentina found it in the second minute of stoppage time.
After Mac Allister had earlier rattled the woodwork, Messi collected the loose ball before producing another inch-perfect cross into the penalty area. Substitute Lautaro Martinez rose highest to head beyond Pickford and complete Argentina’s dramatic comeback, leaving England heartbroken.
Messi’s match-winning display also extended another incredible milestone. The Argentina captain has now either scored or assisted in each of his last 13 appearances for club and country, registering 14 goals and 11 assists during that remarkable run.
England threw everything forward in the closing moments but could not find another equaliser as Lionel Scaloni’s side held firm to secure a memorable victory.
Argentina have now reached back-to-back World Cup finals and will face Spain on Sunday in New Jersey as they continue their bid to retain the title. England, meanwhile, exit the tournament despite taking the lead and will face France in the third-place play-off.
The defeat also ended England’s impressive record after opening the scoring at the World Cup. It marked the first time the Three Lions had lost a World Cup match after taking the lead since their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Croatia on 11 July 2018. England also managed just five shots throughout the match, their lowest total in any game at the 2026 World Cup.
