Argentina beats England 2-1 in dramatic World Cup semi-final comeback
Argentina reached the World Cup final with a 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta on Wednesday, thanks to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez after falling behind.
Argentina is heading to the World Cup final after a stunning 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.
England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon. Despite England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making several key saves and seeing a header from Alexis Mac Allister hit the post, Argentina kept pressing. In the 85th minute, Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez, who slotted the equaliser from outside the box.
Deep into stoppage time, Messi delivered a cross for Lautaro Martinez to head home the winner, sparking wild celebrations.
"I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score. I told him that I was going to come on and I was going to win it," Martinez said after the match. "This team keeps showing what it's made of."
England captain Harry Kane expressed heartbreak: "We worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every bit of blood, sweat and tears. To fall short like we did is just gutting."
England coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Argentina's risk-taking approach: "Argentina played with more risk, played with more rhythm, played with the feeling that they have nothing to lose anymore, which freed them up and held us back because we played suddenly with a feeling that we have a lot to lose."
Argentina will face Spain in Sunday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The defending champions have won the World Cup three times previously: in 1978, 1986, and most recently in 2022.
