Thomas Tuchel admitted England retreated too deeply after Anthony Gordon’s opener as sustained Argentine pressure turned the Atlanta semi-final in its closing minutes.
Argentina players celebrate after completing a late 2-1 comeback against England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final. Enzo Fernandez equalised before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time to send the defending champions into the final against Spain. Photo: FIFA
Defending champions Argentina scored twice in the closing stages to overturn England’s lead and secure a dramatic 2-1 victory in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi created both goals as Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
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England had been closing in on their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon put them ahead early in the second half. Their advantage disappeared after they dropped deeper and allowed Argentina to take control.
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England will now meet France in Saturday’s third-place play-off.
The semi-final opened as a physical and closely fought contest, with neither team prepared to concede control in midfield.
The first attempt did not arrive until the 33rd minute. John Stones met a Declan Rice free-kick at the far post but sent his header wide. Fernandez then fired over at the opposite end.
Argentina produced a clearer opening soon after the restart. Julian Alvarez raced beyond Djed Spence after a long ball forward and tested Jordan Pickford at his near post.
England responded by taking the lead in the 55th minute.
Morgan Rogers delivered a low cross from the right after being restored to England’s starting line-up. Gordon arrived at the far post, moved ahead of Nahuel Molina and directed a controlled finish beyond Emiliano Martinez.
Thomas Tuchel strengthened his defence after England went ahead, with Ezri Konsa introduced as the Three Lions sought to protect their advantage.
Argentina steadily forced England towards their own penalty area.
Spence produced an important tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone before Pickford stopped a header from substitute Nicolas Gonzalez. Alexis Mac Allister then headed against the post.
England struggled to retain possession or carry the ball away from danger. Argentina continued to send crosses into the area and the pressure eventually produced an equaliser.
Messi collected the ball after a short-corner routine and passed to Fernandez outside the penalty area. The midfielder struck a powerful effort beyond Pickford to his right in the 85th minute.
Argentina did not settle for extra time.
Mac Allister struck the woodwork again during the closing exchanges. Messi recovered the ball on the right and delivered a cross towards the far post, where Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time.
England pushed forward during the remaining minutes but could not find an equaliser.
Argentina have now won all six World Cup semi-finals they have contested.
The defending champions have also become the sixth side to win the tournament and return to the final at the following edition.
Italy achieved the feat in 1934 and 1938, while Brazil did so in 1958 and 1962 and again in 1994 and 1998. Argentina reached successive finals in 1986 and 1990, while France did the same in 2018 and 2022.
England have now lost World Cup semi-finals in 1990, 2018 and 2026. Their only appearance in the final remains their title-winning campaign in 1966.
Tuchel admitted England surrendered too much control after Gordon’s opener and were unable to withstand Argentina’s pressure.
“We were so close but we got too passive after we scored,” the England head coach said.
“We conceded a lot of chances and we could not turn the ball possession around. We conceded so, so many crosses and chances and shots. We were close but we couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”
Tuchel said he changed to a five-player defence because England were leaving gaps and losing aerial contests.
“They won every header; they kept crossing and crossing, so we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air because straight after our goal with no substitutions, we just conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances,” he said.
“It doesn’t help if you don’t have the ball. We couldn’t get out.”
Tuchel nevertheless praised his team’s mentality and said the players had given everything during the tournament.
“The team gave everything and we were very close,” he said. “We deserved to be up 1-0. We played one of our better matches, maybe the best match in the circumstances.”
“The team was topped; we couldn’t bring it over the line. No regrets.”
Messi described England as a “tremendous team” and said Argentina had expected a difficult semi-final.
“Playing against England is always special because of what a semifinal means,” the Argentina captain said.
“We knew that, and it was a match we wanted to win to bring joy to the fans and reach the final. We faced a tremendous team, with great players and a great style of play.”
Messi said Argentina remained patient after conceding and continued to trust the style that had taken the team to another final.
“When they scored, we played patiently, moved the ball around, pinned them back, and created clear opportunities,” he said.
“We knew our chances depended on playing our best game. Whatever happens, we have to control the match and move the ball from side to side.”
Messi also celebrated the qualification in a social media post.
“WE’RE IN THE FINAL!!!!! We dug deep once again to put in another great performance,” he wrote.
“A huge thank you to everyone who believed in this group!!! Let’s go Argentina!!!!”
At 39 years and 21 days, Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semi-final. He surpassed Fritz Walter of West Germany and Sweden’s Gunnar Gren, who were both 37 years and 236 days old when they faced each other in the 1958 tournament.
The Argentina captain said reaching consecutive World Cup finals was a major achievement for the team.
“All finals are special. Each one has its own unique qualities. It’s wonderful to be able to experience it again,” he said.
“I think what this group achieved is incredible, two World Cup finals in a row.”
England’s men’s team said it was “completely heartbroken” by the defeat but praised the players, staff and supporters.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said he was “gutted” by the result while expressing pride in England’s effort, passion and energy.
Argentina will attempt to retain the World Cup when they face Spain on Sunday. England and France will contest the third-place play-off a day earlier.
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