Defending champion Argentina reaches World Cup final by beating England 2-1
By JAMES ROBSON, AP Soccer Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and reach the World Cup final.
Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez scored for Argentina.
Anthony Gordon had given England the lead, but Lionel Messi and Co. had other ideas.
Argentina pushed for an equalizer and the pressure eventually led to Fernandez scoring in the 85th minute. Martinez headed in the winner two minutes into injury time.
The game resumed one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer and there was a raucous atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff as both sets of fans tried to drown out the other team’s national anthem.
Argentina will play Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez hugs teammate Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) cerebrates the first goal of his team during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) cerebrates the second goal of his team during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) can’t stop Argentina’s first goal by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Referee Ismail Elfath, of the United States, separates players as he issues a yellow card to England’s Elliot Anderson during the World Cup semifinal soccer match against Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
A fan takes a selfie before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) challenges for the ball with Argentina’s Nahuel Molina (26) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) shoots on goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Harry Kane, right, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) scores their opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England and Argentina stand before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Former England soccer player David Beckham, right, stands before the start of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after Enzo Fernandez scored their side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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