Argentina Overcomes England With Late Rally to Reach 2026 World Cup Final

Argentina's Stunning Comeback Against England

The match between Argentina and England added another chapter to the drama of this World Cup. At 84 minutes, it looked like Lionel Messi and his teammates were done. Yet, in the final moments, Argentina dominated, turning the game around completely.

England’s Defensive Blunder

For nearly an hour, England held the upper hand. Their attacks were purposeful, and they kept Argentina from having any shots on target during the first half. When Anthony Gordon scored early in the second half, putting England up 1-0, it seemed like the momentum was theirs.

But that goal marked a shift. England’s defense retreated, choosing a cautious approach. Instead of pressing forward or maintaining pressure, they allowed Argentina too much room to breathe. This gave Messi, known for exploiting space brilliantly, the chance to orchestrate a comeback.

In the 85th minute, Messi found Enzo Fernandez with ample space, setting up the equalizer. Moments later, Messi delivered a precise cross to Lautaro Martinez who headed the ball into the net, giving Argentina a 2-1 lead. Before those goals, England appeared vulnerable; Alexis Mac Allister’s shots rattled the post, hinting at what was coming. Ultimately, Argentina took 14 shots, six on target.

This match serves as a warning: teams holding a lead should not become complacent or overly defensive. England’s strategy backfired spectacularly.

Argentina’s Unique Rhythm

Argentina’s offensive output has been remarkable in knockout stages, scoring 11 goals with nine after the 79th minute and five beyond the 90th. Their style is uneven but effective — a slow start followed by bursts of late energy.

This method suits their star, Messi, who at 39 can't maintain peak performance for a full match. By conserving energy early, he can shine when it matters most. Argentina's offense has produced 19 goals in the tournament, with Messi contributing directly to 12 of those (eight goals and four assists). The team’s pace picks up once Messi becomes more involved, as seen after England’s goal when Argentina finally found their rhythm.

Though their play may seem patchy, this approach has carried them far. England learned this hard lesson firsthand.

The Legacy of Messi and Argentina

This victory could mark a fairy-tale ending to Messi’s international career. After years of near misses, Messi’s last five years with Argentina have been flawless, capturing major trophies from the 2021 Copa America through this World Cup run.

If Argentina wins again, they would be the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to claim back-to-back World Cups. Messi would join a rare group of players with multiple World Cup titles, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.