After Argentina’s late comeback: England exits the World Cup

The noise inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium turned from English celebration to Argentine delirium in seven frantic minutes. England led through Anthony Gordon and appeared close to its first World Cup final since 1966, but Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed in a stoppage-time winner. Argentina’s 2-1 victory sends the defending champion to Sunday’s final against Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

How Events Unfolded

The first half offered far more contact than creativity. England and Argentina combined for 19 fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on goal before halftime. Referee Ismail Elfath briefly stopped play early as challenges and confrontations disrupted the rhythm of both teams.

England broke through in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers drove a cross across the goalmouth, and Gordon redirected it past Emiliano Martínez for his first World Cup goal. Jordan Pickford then made a diving save against Nico González as Argentina increased the pressure.

Thomas Tuchel attempted to protect the lead by adding defenders Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in the 82nd minute. The approach pushed England deeper, giving Argentina repeated opportunities around the penalty area. Three minutes later, Messi moved in from the right and supplied Fernández, whose powerful shot bent beyond Pickford into the upper corner.

Argentina completed the comeback in the 92nd minute. Messi reached the right side again and delivered a precise cross for substitute Lautaro Martínez, who escaped England’s defenders and scored with a close-range header. The full semifinal updates captured the abrupt shift from England’s defensive stand to Argentina’s celebration.

Digging Deeper

The decisive stretch exposed the risk of trying to defend a narrow lead against a team built around Messi’s ability to find space. England had controlled much of the match without creating many clear chances, but its late substitutions reduced its ability to carry the ball away from danger. Argentina responded by committing more players forward and attacking in waves.

Messi did not score, yet he shaped both goals. His pass initiated Fernández’s equalizer, and his cross created Martínez’s winner. The two assists raised his tournament total to four. Messi and Kylian Mbappé each have eight goals, with assists serving as the first tiebreaker in the Golden Boot race.

The matchup also carried decades of tension. It was the nations’ first meeting in almost 21 years, with memories of Diego Maradona’s 1986 goals, David Beckham’s 1998 red card and the political dispute over the Falkland Islands shaping the atmosphere. Argentina veterans’ groups urged supporters to treat the semifinal as a sporting event rather than an extension of the 1982 conflict.

Stoppage time

Additional minutes played after regulation to account for substitutions, injuries and other delays.

Golden Boot

The award presented to the World Cup’s leading scorer, with assists used as the first tiebreaker when players are level on goals.

Defensive substitution

A change designed to add defenders or reduce attacking risk while protecting a lead.

What People Are Saying

We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is not enough. Just gutted, gutted. Because we’ve worked so hard to get here.

Kane’s assessment matched the match’s final phase: England stopped pressing forward and invited sustained pressure. Scaloni, meanwhile, credited Argentina’s supporters and the team’s commitment through the final whistle.

We are unique. These people (the fans) drove us to win this match today. The jersey demands it — giving everything until the very end, holding nothing back.

Putting It in Perspective

Argentina now has a chance to win consecutive World Cups, something no nation has done since Brazil won in 1958 and 1962. Sunday’s opponent, Spain, reached the final by defeating France 2-0.

For England, the defeat extends a wait that began after its only World Cup title in 1966. Tuchel’s team was minutes from reaching the final, but the collapse creates immediate scrutiny around the decision to replace midfield and wide options with defenders while Argentina still had Messi directing attacks.

The match also had a clear U.S. footprint. It was played in Atlanta, drew watch parties across the country and set up a final in the New York metropolitan area. At Rikers Island in New York City, more than 100 inmates watched the semifinal together, joining thousands of fans following a rivalry staged on American soil.

Looking Ahead

Argentina will face Spain on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. The defending champion will pursue a second consecutive title, while Messi enters the final level with Mbappé on eight tournament goals and ahead on assists.

England travels to Miami for Saturday’s third-place match against France. The immediate challenge is recovering from a defeat that arrived after the team had led until the 85th minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won England vs. Argentina?

Argentina won the World Cup semifinal 2-1 after scoring in the 85th and 92nd minutes.

Who scored for England?

Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute from a Morgan Rogers cross.

How did Argentina complete the comeback?

Enzo Fernández equalized with a long-range shot before Lautaro Martínez headed in Lionel Messi’s stoppage-time cross.

Who will Argentina play in the World Cup final?

Argentina will play Spain on Sunday, July 19, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

What happens next for England?

England will play France in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday.