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ARGENTINA booked their place in the FIFA World Cup final after producing a breathtaking late comeback to defeat England 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Lionel Messi once again orchestrating victory as the reigning champions moved within one win of retaining the title.
England appeared destined for a historic return to the World Cup final for the first time since 1966 after Anthony Gordon's second-half strike handed Thomas Tuchel's side a precious lead deep into the contest.
However, Argentina demonstrated the resilience that has defined their title defence by overturning the deficit in the closing stages.
Enzo Fernández restored parity in the 85th minute with a spectacular long-range effort from 20 yards before Messi, who had already created the equaliser, delivered another decisive assist in stoppage time. His cross found substitute Lautaro Martínez, who headed home from close range in the second minute of added time to complete a dramatic victory.
AP reported the triumph sends Lionel Scaloni's side into Sunday's final against European champions Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while England must settle for a third-place play-off against France.
"This is incredible, it's truly incredible," Martínez said.
"I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] I was going to score a goal; I told Facu Medina that I was going to come on and win the match.
"We stretched the team and went all-in. We got the goals in the end, and after 3½ years, we're back in a World Cup final."
Messi's influence once again proved decisive as the 39-year-old recorded two assists, extending his extraordinary record in World Cup knockout matches. He now has 10 assists in the knockout stages, six more than any other player over at least the past six decades.
The Argentine captain has also registered either a goal or an assist in 11 consecutive World Cup matches dating back to the 2022 tournament, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.
England, who defended resolutely for much of the match, were left to rue their inability to withstand Argentina's relentless late pressure after Gordon's breakthrough had placed them within touching distance of a famous victory.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford delivered an outstanding performance and kept England ahead with a string of superb saves, including denying Nico González before producing another excellent stop from Alexis Mac Allister shortly after the Liverpool midfielder had struck the post.
Despite Pickford's heroics, Argentina's sustained attacking pressure eventually overwhelmed England's defence.
"We're disappointed, we were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances," England coach Thomas Tuchel told the BBC.
"We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored."
The encounter, one of international football's fiercest rivalries, began in a charged atmosphere with supporters from both nations creating a deafening backdrop before kick-off. A physical and closely contested first half produced few clear opportunities before the match burst into life after the interval.
Argentina's dramatic recovery continued a pattern of late heroics during the tournament. Following another stoppage-time winner against Egypt in the round of 16, Scaloni's side became the first team to score multiple match-winning goals in second-half stoppage time during a single World Cup.
"This group never ceases to amaze me," Scaloni said.
"What these players demonstrate is incredible. After this, it's very difficult to try to make people understand what they do on the field. We are unique, and that's not arrogance. The fans are the ones who carried us to victory."
The victory sends Argentina into their seventh World Cup final as they chase a fourth world title and attempt to become only the third nation, after Italy and Brazil, to win consecutive World Cups.
Their showdown with Spain will also mark the first World Cup final between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, as well as the first final featuring the top two teams in the FIFA world rankings since those rankings were introduced in 1992. - July 16, 2026
