Argentina battle back to overcome England 2-1, reach World Cup final

Reigning titleholders Argentina battled from behind to edge England 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal match in Atlanta on Wednesday, completing a fierce comeback as Enzo Fernandez equalized before Lautaro Martinez scored the stoppage-time winner, to send the three-time champions into the final against Spain.

Considered one of football's fiercest rivalries, the game was filled with emotion and tension. Neither side managed to break the deadlock until 10 minutes into the second half, when Morgan Rogers found Anthony Gordon, who tapped in from the far post to give England the lead and put the Three Lions on course for their first trip to the final since 1966.

But Argentina, pushed to the brink of elimination once again, launched a relentless late attack as Alexis Mac Allister hit the post with a header 15 minutes from time.

Lionel Scaloni's side finally came up with the equalizer in the 85th minute, when Enzo Fernandez fired a powerful strike past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from 20 meters out, with the Englishmen defending deep inside their own box.

Thomas Tuchel's squad had managed just 12 percent possession after taking the lead, while the Argentinians continued to push for a winner. Mac Allister struck the post again in the second minute of stoppage time before Lautaro Martinez, introduced off the bench in the 81st minute, headed in a precise pass moments later to complete the comeback and give the Albiceleste a 2-1 victory.

The win sent defending champions Argentina into Sunday's championship contest in New Jersey against Spain, while England once again fell short in the latter stages of a major tournament.