Quick Summary

  • Argentina beat England 2-1 with two late goals.
  • Lionel Messi produced two decisive assists.
  • Enzo Fernandez levelled before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner.
  • Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

Argentina have shattered English hearts in Atlanta with a devastating late 2-1 comeback to march into the 2026 World Cup final.

Thomas Tuchel’s men were just five minutes away from ending a 60-year tournament drought after Anthony Gordon tapped home Morgan Rogers' brilliant cross in the 55th minute. 

However, a premature defensive retreat by England opened the door for Lionel Messi to orchestrate a masterclass in resilience. 

First, Enzo Fernandez thrashed home an 85th-minute long-range equalizer, before a pinpoint Messi cross found substitute Lautaro Martinez for a dramatic 92nd-minute headed winner. 

While Argentina prepares to defend their crown against Spain on Sunday, England is left counting the cost of individual collapses under ultimate pressure. Here the player ratings from a monumental World Cup Semi-Final. 

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England Player Ratings

Jordan Pickford - 8

Made a string of saves to deny Argentina from equalising and even taking the lead on multiple occasions after Tuchel sought to adopt a defensive approach.  Would have been disappointed England ultimately fell short in the end.

Djed Spence - 7

Did a good job shutting out Giuliano Simeone, as well as Lionel Messi in that right half space he likes to occupy, but should have done better in the build up to the winning goal by Lautaro Martinez.

Reece James - 6

Back in the side after a two-week injury layoff, and did okay before being subbed off in the 80th minute after requesting to be taken off.

John Stones - 7

Looked solid all game and dealt well with all aerial balls but the move by Tuchel to bring on an extra defender might have disoriented the balance of the defence.

Marc Guehi - 7

Like Stones, he generally had a good evening up until Tuchel’s odd decision to go ultra defensive which invited pressure from Argentina.

Eliot Anderson - 7

Did well helping out Spence and Guehi to cover that right half space Messi enjoys doing well in, and it actually worked wonders for them.

Declan Rice - 7

Marshalled the midfield well alongside Eliot Anderson, but being taken off arguably led to England’s ultimate collapse.

Morgan Rogers - 6

Provided an assist for Anthony Gordon’s goal, but otherwise looked lost and isolated starting as a touchline right winger.

Jude Bellingham - 5

Had a quiet evening and struggled to really get going all evening.

Anthony Gordon - 7

Scored England’s goal in sublime version by running on Molina’s blindside and tapping it home, and generally helped out with the defensive side of his game.

Harry Kane - 6

Struggled to impact the game in attack, but did more defensive work than usual.

England Substitutes

Nico O’Reilly NR

Ezri Konsa NR

Dan Burn NR

Marcus Rashford NR

Ivan Toney NR

Argentina Player Ratings

Emi Martinez - 6

Emi Martinez did not have too much work to do, and did enjoy a good evening despite conceding the England goal.

Nahuel Molina - 6

Should have done better defending that Anthony Gordon goal, but otherwise had a good evening.

Nicolas Tagliafico - 6

Had a good evening bombing up and down the flank with his energetic bursts as always.

Lisandro Martinez - 6

Did not have too much defending to do,  with England adopting a cautious approach for much of the game.

Cristian Romero - 6

Just like his partner, Cristian Romero did not have too much work to do defensively, and was an areal threat from setpieces.

Giuliano Simeone - 6

Simeone was energetic bombing up and down the right flank, and made Spence have a lot to ponder about during the game, as he offered genuine width during the game.

Leandro Paredes - 7

Had a great evening marshalling the midfield for Argentina, and looked solid both on and off the ball as he set a platform for Mac Allister to influence the game further forward.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7

Back in the starting line up ahead of Rodrigo De Paul, he was given the freedom to roam throughout the game, as he helped overload the box in attack and was a vital presence defensively.

Enzo Fernandes - 8

Netted the equalising goal in sublime style with a great shot from distance, and has enjoyed the freedom to influence the games in attack more thanks to the presence Leandro Paredes offers defensively.

Julian Alvarez - 7

Thrown into the starting line up following his screamer during their 3-1 win over Switzerland, Alvarez provided width on the left hand side while at the same time getting into great goalscoring positions combining the play with Messi.

Lionel Messi - 8

Capped off yet another magical night with both assists for the two goals they scored to complete a spectacular late comeback.

Argentina Substitutes

Gonzalo Montiel NR

Rodrigo De Paul NR

Nico Gonzalez NR

Nico Otamendi NR

Lautaro Martinez - 7

Scored the winning goal after coming on to send Argentina to yet another final.