Argentina Beat England 2-1 in a Stunning Comeback to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the second semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026. They have booked their place in the final. The match was played on July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. England took the lead in the second half, but Argentina made a late comeback. Lionel Messi played a key role in Argentina’s victory. The captain created both goals and once again showed his quality on the biggest stage. Argentina will now face Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
Lionel Messi: The Hero Behind Argentina’s Final Qualification
Lionel Messi was the most important player for Argentina in the semi-final against England. He did not score a goal, but his impact changed the match. Messi created chances throughout the game. He helped Argentina stay calm when England took the lead.
He helped Enzo Fernández score Argentina’s first goal. Messi created the chance for Lautaro Martínez to score the winning goal. His two assists helped Argentina win the match. He was named player of the match.
Messi has continued to perform at a high level throughout the tournament. His leadership and passing techniques to create chances for goals have been major reasons behind Argentina’s journey to the final.
Lionel Messi Match Statistics
| Statistic | Detail |
| Appearances | 7 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Key Passes vs England | 4 |
| Chances Created | 5 |
| Match Impact | Created both goals in the semi-final |
| Achievement | Helped Argentina reach another World Cup final |
England vs Argentina Semi-final Match Summary (FIFA World Cup 2026)
First Half: Both Teams Play Carefully
- Both teams played safely because the match was very important.
- Argentina had more control of the ball. They tried to create attacks throughout the match.
- Lionel Messi looked for chances to score. Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister helped Argentina control the midfield.
- England focused on defending. They tried to attack through quick counter-attacks.
- England’s defence played well. They stopped Argentina from creating easy chances.
- Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made important saves for England.
- Argentina had more control in the game, but England’s strong defence kept the score 0-0 at half-time.
Second Half: England Takes the Lead
- Both teams started attacking more in the second half.
- England started creating better chances. Anthony Gordon scored the first goal for England in the 55th minute.
- England became stronger after scoring a goal. They were focused more on protecting their lead.
- Argentina put more pressure to create more chances. Lionel Messi found more space and helped Argentina attack better. Argentina kept fighting to score an equaliser.
Argentina’s Late Comeback
- Argentina finally scored a goal in the 85th minute.
- Lionel Messi gave a perfect pass to Enzo Fernández. The midfielder took the chance and made the score 1-1.
- This goal completely changed the match. England suddenly faced huge pressure.
- Argentina continued attacking. Messi created another brilliant opportunity. He assisted Lautaro Martínez for the second goal in the 92nd minute.
- England tried to make the score equal, but Argentina defended strongly during the final moments.
- Argentina secured its place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final
Match Statistics: England vs Argentina (FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-final)
| Statistic | England | Argentina |
| Final Score | 1 | 2 |
| Half-Time Score | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 36% | 64% |
| Total Shots | 8 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 6 |
| Passes Completed | 272 | 537 |
| Corners | 3 | 7 |
| Goals Inside the Box | 1 | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
The statistics show why Argentina won the match. Argentina had much more hold on the ball with 64% as compared to England’s 36%. This helped them to control the game and create more attacking opportunities. Argentina also had more shots on target.
Final Match Update!
Argentina will now face Spain in the final match. Who will win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final? Read our Argentina vs Spain match prediction, team analysis, and playing 11 on Skoringly.
FAQs
What was the final score of England vs Argentina?
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final.
Who scored a goal for England against Argentina?
Anthony Gordon scored England’s only goal in the semi-final.
Who scored Argentina’s goals against England?
Enzo Fernández scored the equaliser, and Lautaro Martínez scored the winning goal for Argentina.
Did Lionel Messi score against England?
No, Messi did not score, but he created both goals with two important assists.
Who was the best player in England vs Argentina?
Lionel Messi was the best player because he assisted two goals. He helped Argentina reach the final.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. In India, it will start at 12:30 am on July 20.
Did England reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
No, England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final.
Who scored the winning goal for Argentina against England?
Lautaro Martínez scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 92nd minute.