Defending champions score twice in the closing minutes to set up a 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain

Defending champions Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat England 2-1 on Wednesday, overturning a one-goal deficit in the closing stages to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Lionel Scaloni’s side will meet Spain in a repeat of two footballing heavyweights battling for the sport’s biggest prize.

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The Argentina World Cup Final dream appeared to be slipping away after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, putting England on course for a first World Cup final appearance since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966.

But the South Americans responded with remarkable composure as Enzo Fernández levelled in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed home a pinpoint cross from Lionel Messi deep into stoppage time to complete a breathtaking turnaround.

The match began cautiously, with both teams cancelling each other out during a tense first half in Atlanta. England gradually found more attacking rhythm after the interval and were rewarded when Gordon finished clinically to ignite hopes of ending the nation’s six-decade wait for another World Cup final.

However, Argentina’s experience under pressure once again proved decisive.

With England retreating to protect their slender advantage, the reigning world champions increased the tempo and finally found a breakthrough when Fernández struck the equaliser with five minutes remaining.

Momentum swung firmly in Argentina’s favour, and in added time Messi delivered an inviting cross that Martínez met with a powerful header to send the Albiceleste into another World Cup final.

The victory extends Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup, while also offering Messi, playing in what is expected to be his final World Cup, another opportunity to add to his extraordinary international legacy.

For England, the defeat was a painful end to an impressive tournament under head coach Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions had navigated a difficult knockout path and looked poised to rewrite history before Argentina’s late surge denied them a place in Sunday’s showpiece.

England captain Harry Kane described the defeat as “gutting”, saying the squad had worked tirelessly throughout the tournament but ultimately fell short of their objective.

The latest chapter in one of international football’s fiercest rivalries lived up to its billing, adding fresh drama to a fixture that has produced several iconic World Cup moments over the past six decades.

From England’s victory in the 1966 quarter-final to Diego Maradona’s unforgettable performance in 1986 and Argentina’s penalty shoot-out triumph in 1998, encounters between the two nations have consistently carried historical significance beyond the football itself.

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Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s final after the European champions defeated France 2-0 in the other semi-final. England, meanwhile, will meet France in the third-place play-off as they look to finish the tournament on a positive note.