Argentina stuns England 2-1 to reach FIFA World Cup 2026 final

ATLANTA: Defending champions Argentina produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat England 2-1 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, booking their place in Sunday’s championship match against Spain.

The electrifying contest at Atlanta Stadium had everything football fans could hope for—high intensity, relentless attacking football and a stunning finish that shattered England’s dream of reaching their first World Cup final in six decades.

The opening whistle set the tone for a fiercely contested battle, with both sides pressing aggressively and fighting for every ball. Argentina and England created several promising chances in the first half, but disciplined defending and sharp goalkeeping kept the score level at 0-0 heading into the break.

England finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon found the back of the net with a composed finish, sending English supporters into celebration and putting the Three Lions within touching distance of a historic final appearance.

However, Argentina refused to surrender.

With time running out, the South American giants mounted an extraordinary comeback. In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández produced the equaliser after sustained pressure, reigniting Argentina’s hopes and shifting the momentum completely.

As the match entered stoppage time, Lautaro Martínez delivered the decisive blow. His dramatic winner in the second minute of injury time sparked wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands, sealing a remarkable 2-1 victory and ending England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup final for the first time in 60 years.

The victory sends Argentina into its seventh FIFA World Cup final, further cementing its place among football’s greatest nations. The Albiceleste have lifted the famous trophy three times and finished as runners-up on three occasions, and they will now have another opportunity to add a fourth title.

Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday night, while England will meet France in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Celebrations erupted across Argentina following the dramatic victory. In the capital, Buenos Aires, hundreds of thousands of supporters poured into the streets waving national flags, singing football chants and setting off fireworks.

Large screens displayed images of captain Lionel Messi, as jubilant fans hailed their national heroes and celebrated another unforgettable World Cup night.

With confidence soaring after another memorable comeback, Argentina now stands just one victory away from successfully defending its world title and writing another historic chapter in football history.