Match with crazy ending in Atlanta. Leading 1-0, the Argentine team managed to come back at the end and win 2-1 against England. Lionel Messi did not score, but he was co-author of both of his team’s goals.
Argentina will defend their world title against Spain on Sunday, July 19 at 10 p.m. England will play on the same day, but at midnight, against France for the bronze medal.
The game in Atlanta was tense from the start. And in the 3rd minute there was a general stampede. Then, the players of both formations had tough entries, often to intimidation.
The level of the game was not very high. And in the first half hour there was no shot on goal. The first important opportunity came in the 38th minute, when Enzo Fernandez sent over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
The South Americans started strongly after the break and Pickford made a save from Julian Alvarez in the 47th minute. The Argentinian striker then sent into the side netting.
Gordon scored as in practice
The first goal was scored in the 55th minute, but at the other goal. Harry Kane sent in a long pass and the Argentines made a poor clearance. The ball reached Morgan Rogers, who crossed from the right side in front of the goal, and Anthony Gordon scored with a placed shot.
A few minutes after the goal, Giuliano Simeone launched into the box, but Spence intervened extraordinarily, taking the corner.
The Argentine attack intensified, and Pickford made an incredible save from Nico Gonzales’ header in the 69th minute. After another seven minutes, the British goalkeeper had no reaction, but Mac Allister’s header from De Paul’s cross hit the England goalpost.
Argentina equalized in eight minutes!
Towards the end, Scaloni made changes in an attempt to force an equaliser. Pickford took the ball sent by Enzo Fernandez into the corner, in the 86th minute. In the next phase, the same player equalized with a placed shot, from about 25 meters. And the goal pass was signed by Leo Messi.
Argentina forced the victory and after another shot by Mac Allister in which the ball hit the post of the English goal, in the 90+2 minute Messi recovered the ball, crossed in front of the goal, and Lautaro Martinez scored with a header.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente thanked the players: “They make the difficult look easy”
In the final minutes of extra time, England forced an equaliser, but failed to do so.
After the “comeback” in the game against Egypt, in which they came back from 0-2, Argentina managed one more and qualified for the final where they will try to defend their world title against the European champions, Spain.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reacted a few minutes after the match: “We are very emotional. We are speechless. It is a great joy for our people, for our country, for this group. I can tell you that we will try to win and we will do our best to win the final as well, but it will be very difficult. We are very united, without arrogance, really united. Wearing this shirt is something you deserve. You have to give everything until the end, don’t hide.” for nothing and to give everything. And I am very pleased indeed.”
On the other hand, Harry Kane questioned England’s strategy against Argentina, specifically the very defensive approach after opening the scoring: “We played a good game overall, but at this level, just trying to stay in the lead is not enough. We have to see things through.”
England – Argentina 1-2 (0-0)
ATLANTA (July 15, 2026) * Stadium: Atlanta * Spectators: 68,239
They scored: A. Gordon (min. 55), respectively, E. Fernandez (min. 85), Lautaro Martinez (min. 90+2)
Yellow cards: E. Anderson (min. 37), L. Martinez (min. 42), C. Romero (min. 51), R. De Paul (min. 90)
England: 1. Pickford – 24. James, 5. Stones, 6. Guehi, 25. Spence – 8. Anderson, 4. Rice – 17. Rogers, 10. Bellingham, 18. Gordon – 9. Kane (capt.)
Reserves: 23. Trafford, 13. D. Henderson, 2. Konsa, 3. O’Reilly, 7. Saka, 12. Chalobah, 15. Burn, 16. Mainoo, 21. Eze, 20. Madueke, 11. Rashford, 22. Toney, 19. Watkins
Absent: Ouansah (suspended), J. Henderson (injured)
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Argentine: 23. E. Martinez – 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 6. Li. Martinez, 3. Tagliafico – 17. G. Simeone, 20. Mac Allister, 5. Paredes, 24. Fernandez – 10. Messi (capt.), 9. Alvarez
Reserves: 1. Musso, 12. Rulli, 4. Montiel, 7. De Paul, 19. Otamendi, 25. F. Medina, 8. Barco, 2. Senesi, 11. Lo Celso, 16. Almada, 14. E. Palacios, 18. Paz, 15. N. Gonzalez, 22. La. Martinez, 21. JM Lopez
Absent: no player
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
