Argentina produced another dramatic late comeback to beat England 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium and reach the World Cup final.
England looked on course for their first World Cup final in 60 years after Anthony Gordon fired them ahead early in the second half. But Lionel Scaloni’s defending champions refused to fade, striking twice in the closing stages through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
The result sends Argentina into Sunday’s final against Spain, while England must now regroup for a third-place playoff against France.
It was a painful night for Thomas Tuchel’s side. England had defended with discipline for long periods and appeared to have Argentina under control after taking the lead, but they gradually dropped deeper and invited pressure from a team that has made late drama a habit at this tournament.
The first half was tense, physical and short on clear chances. Both teams pressed hard, but neither side found enough quality in the final third. England had moments through Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers, while Argentina tried to bring Lionel Messi into the match whenever they could.
After the break, the game finally opened up.
England struck in the 55th minute. Harry Kane dropped deep before the ball eventually found Rogers, who delivered a brilliant cross into the area. Gordon timed his run well, escaped Nahuel Molina and finished past Emiliano Martinez to give the Three Lions a precious lead.
For a while, England looked ready to protect that advantage. Djed Spence made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Argentina, and Jordan Pickford produced an important save as the pressure started to build.
But Tuchel’s changes shifted the rhythm of the match. England moved into a more defensive shape and lost their outlet going forward. Argentina sensed the change and began to push higher, with Messi finding more time to deliver dangerous balls into the box.
Alexis Mac Allister came close when his header struck the post, a warning that England failed to fully control.
Argentina’s equaliser came in the 85th minute. Messi was again involved, and Fernandez found space outside the box before curling a superb right-footed strike into the bottom corner. Pickford had moments earlier tipped a Fernandez effort over the bar, but this time he could not keep the midfielder out.
England still had time to recover, but Argentina had momentum.
In the 92nd minute, Messi delivered the decisive moment. The captain collected the ball and clipped a precise cross into the area, where substitute Lautaro Martinez rose to head beyond Pickford and complete the turnaround.
It was another reminder of Argentina’s champion mentality. They had been behind, under pressure and facing elimination, but once again found a way through.
England threw on Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford in stoppage time, but Argentina managed the final minutes with experience and calm. Emiliano Martinez claimed one late ball into the box, and the final whistle confirmed England’s World Cup dream was over.
The numbers reflected Argentina’s growing control. They finished with 15 attempts and an expected goals total of 1.84, while England managed only five shots and 0.53 xG.
For England, this will feel like an opportunity lost. Gordon’s goal had put them in a strong position, but they could not maintain control when Argentina increased the pressure.
For Argentina, the dream of defending their World Cup crown remains alive. Messi did not score, but he shaped the match when it mattered most, providing the quality that helped turn defeat into victory.
A final against Spain now awaits. England, meanwhile, must lift themselves for one more match against France as they fight to end the tournament with third place.
