The World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was largely goalless – until the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers delivered a sweeping cross from the right, Anthony Gordon met it on the volley and steered the ball past the onrushing Emiliano Martínez: 1-0 to England. It was a goal that jolted the stadium to attention, and one that would shape the contest in ways England could scarcely have anticipated.
England manager Thomas Tuchel responded to the lead by shifting his side into a more defensively secure shape. Anthony Gordon was substituted in the 72nd minute. The consequence was telling: England dropped deeper and deeper, ceding the initiative to Argentina with every passing minute – a tactical call that would prove fateful.
Argentina Turn the Game Around in the Closing Stages
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni countered with attacking substitutions. Rodrigo de Paul and Montiel – replacing Nahuel Molina – came on in the 72nd minute, with Lautaro Martínez following for Tagliafico in the 81st. The Argentine pressure intensified with each minute. That this side possesses the capacity to score late was hardly a secret: heading into this match, Argentina had already netted nine goals after the 75th minute in the current tournament.
The equaliser arrived in the 85th minute. Enzo Fernández cut loose from outside the penalty area following a short corner kick routine – a left-curling strike that Jordan Pickford could not keep out: 1-1. Seven minutes later, in stoppage time, it was Lionel Messi who set the defining moment in motion. Alexis Mac Allister struck the post from a free kick, Messi collected the rebound and delivered a precise cross into the penalty area. Lautaro Martínez powered a header into the bottom-left corner – 2-1 in the 92nd minute. Messi had provided both assists for the Argentine comeback without getting his name on the scoresheet himself.
Analysis and Outlook
The result faithfully reflected the second-half run of play. England sat deep after taking the lead, Argentina applied relentless pressure and were rewarded with two goals in the space of seven minutes. Lautaro Martínez once again demonstrated his quality in decisive moments – he had already scored a late winner in Argentina's Copa América triumph in 2024.
Argentina advance to the 2026 World Cup final – a tournament staged for the first time with 48 teams across twelve groups of four, with the knockout round beginning at the round of 32. With their place in the final secured, Argentina have the chance to become the first nation since Brazil – winners in 1958 and 1962 – to defend the World Cup title. England, meanwhile, exit with a record of four wins and one draw from their last five matches, and with the bitter feeling of having let a lead slip from their grasp.
