Updated July 15, 2026, 5:25 PM EDT Argentina advanced to its second straight World Cup final after a thrilling 2-1 win over England on Wednesday.Argentina scored two goals in the final minutes of the match for a come-from-behind victory. First, an Enzo Fernández header in the 85th minute equalized before a Lautaro Martínez header in stoppage time proved to be the game-winning goal. Both scores were assisted by crosses from superstar Lionel Messi.For most of the first half it looked like neither side would shoot, let alone score. Argentina and England did not record a shot in the opening 30 minutes, the first time both sides were held shotless for so long to start a match since the first World Cup to be broadcast live in 1966. Instead, the opening 45 minutes featured more fouls than anything else.By halftime, the teams combined for 19 fouls and no shots on goal.England finally broke through in the 55th minute, as Anthony Gordon volleyed home a goal off a long cross from Morgan Rogers.Over the next 30 minutes, however, England eschewed attacking in favor of stacking the defensive side of the field. The strategy allowed Argentina to build momentum offensively, and it finally broke through in the 85th minute.Argentina will now look to defend its World Cup title in the final against Spain on Sunday.England has yet to play in a World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966. 13m ago / 5:25 PM EDTCould 2030 be the charm for England?If you’re an England fan looking for a silver lining today, here’s a possible one...In 2022, the Three Lions made it all the way to the quarterfinals. This year, it was the semifinals.Could England finally make it back to the World Cup final in 2030, then? Jude Bellingham should still be in his prime by the time of the next tournament, for what it’s worth.But it’s tough for England to come this close and not even play in last match. 20m ago / 5:18 PM EDTArgentina on the precipice of back-to-back World Cup titlesThat hasn't happened since Brazil won back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1962. Those Brazilian teams had a soccer legend named Pelé. This Argentine team has its own soccer legend, attempting to match that feat, 64 years later.20m ago / 5:18 PM EDTLionel Messi’s footprints were all over both Argentina goalsThough Messi — tied with Kylian Mbappé for the lead in the Golden Boot race — didn’t score today, he was a massive factor in both of his team’s goals.Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his team's victory over England. Tom Weller / dpa / picture alliance via Getty ImagesOn the Enzo Fernández header that equalized the match, several defenders were busy marking Messi, who crossed the ball into the box for Fernández’s finish.And on the Lautaro Martínez winner, Messi calmly collected the ball after an Alexis Mac Allister shot hit the right post, and Messi kept possession long enough for the play to reset before he lobbed a cross to Martínez.22m ago / 5:16 PM EDTEngland stopped attacking after scoring firstAfter England's Anthony Gordon found the back of the net in the 55th minute, to take a 1-0 lead, it didn't create another great scoring chance. Instead, England seemed content to drop back into a more defensive mindset. Manager Thomas Tuchel also subbed in more defensive-minded players to aid that approach.In the end, England only controlled 36% of the possession and produced 0.53 expected goals. The English took five shots on the game, only two on goal, and its stars were virtually nonexistent. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who had combined to score 12 goals at this World Cup, combined for one shot today.35m ago / 5:03 PM EDTFinal: Argentina 2, England 1Argentina pulled off another miracle, scoring two goals in the span of about seven minutes, the first from Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and the second from Lautaro Martínez in stoppage time to beat England. Lionel Messi made the assist on both Argentine goals.Argentina is looking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups in more than 60 years, and it'll get the chance Sunday against Spain. 40m ago / 4:58 PM EDTEngland running out of timeEngland is searching desperately for an equalizer, pressuring the Argentine end. It only has about two minutes to find one. 44m ago / 4:54 PM EDTGoal! Argentina is in front!What is happening!After Alexis Mac Allister hit the post, Lionel Messi collected the rebound and fired a cross into the box, which Lautaro Martínez headed into the left side of the net to give Argentina the lead.It’s 2-1 Argentina in stoppage time. Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina scores his team's second goal. Dan Mullan / Getty Images47m ago / 4:52 PM EDTNine minutes of stoppage timePlenty of time for either side to score before regulation play ends. 47m ago / 4:51 PM EDTArgentina players appear upset with stoppageJohn Stones went down in the penalty box, causing the referee to stop the match. Argentina had the ball ready to attack, however, and a few players looked demonstrably upset with the stoppage when it was first whistled.Stones is being tended to on the pitch. 48m ago / 4:51 PM EDTThat's Argentina's 10th goal after the 75th minuteEnzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring their first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match against England today. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty ImagesArgentina has made a habit this tournament of scoring late. According to the Fox broadcast, it had scored nine goals at this World Cup after the 75th minute, entering today. Make that 10 now, after Enzo Fernández tied this game in the 85th minute.51m ago / 4:48 PM EDTGoal! Argentina with the equalizer!We’re all tied up!After first taking a shot that Jordan Pickford sent out for a corner, Enzo Fernández equalized this match in the 85th minute off the ensuing set piece. Off a pass from Lionel Messi, Fernández took a left-bending shot from outside the top of the box that Jordan Pickford couldn’t reach.It’s 1-1. 53m ago / 4:45 PM EDTEngland brings in a pair of (tall) subsThe 6-foot-7 defender Dan Burn and 6-foot-4 defender Nico O’Reilly are coming on for England, replacing Reece James and Declan Rice. That's some serious size out there to England, perhaps to help defend these Argentine crosses into the box.56m ago / 4:42 PM EDTArgentina really ratcheting up the pressureArgentina is living in the attacking third right now, lobbing cross after cross into the box. Argentina is up to 0.91 expected goals — compared to only 0.54 for England — but it will need a real one to extend this match. 56m ago / 4:42 PM EDTNico González's header just misses the netLionel Messi lofted a ball into the box, as González made a run. He headed the ball back across the net, but it bounced wide, allowing England to breathe a sigh of relief. If González had scored, it wouldn't have counted anyway. The referee ruled that Argentina was offside.59m ago / 4:40 PM EDTArgentina fans getting louderArgentina fans are getting revved up watching their team get chance after chance to score against England. After a period of reletive quiet, the fans are back on their feet. 1h ago / 4:38 PM EDTArgentina shot hits the woodwork!That was nearly the equalizer! A diving header in the box from Alexis Mac Allister bounced strongly off the left post, a few inches away from tying the game. 2h ago / 4:34 PM EDTGordon, England's hero, subbed outAnthony Gordon, who scored in the 55th minute to give England a 1-0 lead, has now been subbed out in favor of Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute.2h ago / 4:33 PM EDTMassive save from England’s Jordan Pickford, now it’s break timeThe final play before the hydration break was nearly a goal.Following a cross from Lionel Messi, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stonewalled a header from Nico González from the center of the penalty box, keeping England in front 1-0.We’re now at the second-half hydration break, as Argentina has turned up its desperation to score. 2h ago / 4:29 PM EDTJohn Stones ends Argentine chanceArgentina sent a header in toward the England net, but Stones flew it to head the ball out of harm's way. Both teams are attacking the net with more urgency, especially since England scored to take the lead.2h ago / 4:26 PM EDTNico González enters for ArgentinaAn offensive reinforcement for Argentina, as the winger González comes in for for midfielder Leandro Paredes. 2h ago / 4:18 PM EDTWhat a tackle by Djed Spence!A potential goal-saving tackle by Spence, who unleashed a perfectly timed slide tackle in the box to prevent a free shot at the net for Giuliano Simeone. 2h ago / 4:17 PM EDTGoal! England finally breaks throughIn the 55th minute, Harry Kane started a breakout for England with a brilliant pass downfield. Morgan Rogers followed that with a brilliant cross into the box, where Anthony Gordon finished with a goal, his first career World Cup score.That was England's second shot of the game, and its first on goal, and it breaks our scoreless tie. England leads 1-0.2h ago / 4:15 PM EDTYellow card on Argentina’s Cristian RomeroRomero was carded for literally wrapping up Jude Bellingham. Both of Argentina’s center backs now have yellow cards. 2h ago / 4:12 PM EDTArgentina comes out of halftime aggressiveAfter being shotless for much of the first half, Argentina recorded two shots in the first three minutes of the second, including the game’s first shot on goal by Julián Álvarez. 2h ago / 4:10 PM EDTEngland, Argentina's shot-less streak makes historyThis is the first World Cup game since 1966 that did not have a shot recorded in the first 30 minutes of play, according to the Fox broadcast. We said "since 1966," because that's the farthest back that statisticians have been able to keep reliable records.2h ago / 4:06 PM EDTThe second half is underway!It’s been a match for foul lovers so far. Let’s see if either side can figure out a way to attack in the second half. 2h ago / 3:56 PM EDTKane, Bellingham have quiet first half for EnglandJude Bellingham had a few moments where he seemed to building momentum, only to find himself swarmed by Argentine defenders. Bellingham and Harry Kane have each scored six goals at this World Cup. But in the first half, Bellingham recorded 23 touches and Kane 13. Neither recorded a single shot, let alone a shot on goal.2h ago / 3:55 PM EDTHalftime: Argentina 0, England 0If you're a fan of fouls, this has been the game for you. Lots of physical play through the first 45 minutes, as both teams have combined to commit 19 fouls. There have been more scuffles than combined shots on goal (zero). Neither teams stars have really had room to work, either. Lionel Messi was sent to the ground on one particularly hard tackle, which resulted in a yellow card for England's Elliot Anderson.2h ago / 3:43 PM EDTHushed crowd... for nowDrums from the England end, clanging of metal from the Argentine end. But most of the crowd is hushed.2h ago / 3:42 PM EDTAnd now a yellow card for Argentina’s Lisandro MartínezMartínez was hanging on to Morgan Rogers in the middle of the field trying to prevent a run, and he was carded for the infraction. 2h ago / 3:41 PM EDTReece James takes free kick, is denied by ArgentinaIn the 36th minute, England took another free kick from the left side, outside the box, this closer than the last. England's Reece James sent the ball into the box, but Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez punched the ball away and Argentina eventually cleared it.2h ago / 3:38 PM EDTLionel Messi draws the match’s first yellowElliot Anderson was given a yellow card after fouling Messi in the middle of a run toward the attacking third. Argentina was upset with the foul, hoping to continue the play via the advantage rule. The teams engaged in some light shoving after the foul, as the physical nature of this match is only intensifying. 3h ago / 3:36 PM EDTEngland records the first shot of the gameJude Bellingham made a spirited run, dribbling upfield when he was fouled by Argentina, setting up a free kick from the left side several yards outside the box. Declan Rice sent the ball into the box, toward the far side of the net. John Stones leapt and headed the ball wide of the net. That was our first shot of the game, and it came in the 33rd minute.3h ago / 3:36 PM EDTTen minutes to go until stoppage timeWe’re still stuck in a back-alley fight, as the teams have combined for 14 fouls but only one shot through the first 35 minutes. 3h ago / 3:31 PM EDTAlmost a chance for ArgentinaArgentina came out hot out of the hydration break, but Lionel Messi wasn’t ready for a ball headed in his direction near the top of the box, and he deflected it out of bounds before Argentina could manufacture a shot. 3h ago / 3:28 PM EDTTwenty-five minutes in: Zero shots for either teamThat's not "shots on goal." That's shots, period. Neither team has been recorded a single shot. Here's hoping for more action during the final three-quarters of the game.3h ago / 3:25 PM EDTWe’ve reached the first hydration breakIt’s been a physical match so far. Both sides are stuck on 0.00 expected goals while they’ve combined for 10 fouls. Perhaps the break will inspire some more action, but what this game has lacked in offense it has made up for in tension. 3h ago / 3:21 PM EDTTension built before kickoff in AtlantaI'm sitting with mostly Argentine fans and during England's national anthem they were chanting. In turn, England supporters booed during the Argentine anthem.You can feel that tension even before kickoff.Robin Alam / ISI Photos via Getty Images3h ago / 3:17 PM EDTAnderson, Fernández involved in another dustupJust now, Argentina's Enzo Fernández made another physical play on England's Elliot Anderson, after the two were involved in a physical tackle about 10 minutes prior. As Fernández tried to get up, Anderson appeared to been holding him down in a bit of gamesmanship. Lots of battling for position and hard fouls early on. There were seven fouls committed between the two teams in about the first 12 minutes of game action. Argentina's Enzo Fernandez and England's Elliot Anderson battle for the ball. Martin Rickett / PA Images via Getty Images3h ago / 3:15 PM EDTArgentina’s defense makes a playAnthony Gordon was making a run across the field into the center of the box, threatening to put the game’s first shot on goal. But he was quickly engulfed by four Argentina defenders, who won the ball and started a counterattack. 3h ago / 3:11 PM EDTNo shots in the first 10 minutesThese teams are clearly still feeling each other out, quite literally considering how physical the early play has been. We’re still waiting on a real offensive attack from either side. 3h ago / 3:07 PM EDTVery physical game early on hereIn the third minute, a few Argentine players held up their hands, pleading with the referee to call a foul. Moments later, Argentina's Enzo Fernández committed a hard tackle against England's Elliot Anderson, which briefly caused play to stop as players from both teams sized each other up.This is clearly a bitter rivalry, and we're seeing it already.Lionel Messi of Argentina in action against Elliot Anderson of England. Evrim Aydin / Anadolu via Getty Images3h ago / 3:04 PM EDTArgentina is already playing mind games todayArgentina swapped its iconic white-and-blue striped uniforms for its navy blue kit today, and there’s a specific reason why.Argentina wore the dark blue uniforms in two iconic World Cup wins over England: During the 1998 win in penalties in the quarterfinals, as well as during the infamous “Hand of God” match in the 1986 quarterfinals.“I would have done the same if there was any superstition combined with it,” England manager Thomas Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday. “So credit to them. I was not ​aware of that.”3h ago / 3:03 PM EDTControversy seems to follow this Argentina teamAfter cruising through the group stage, Argentina seemed like an easy bet to make it to the semifinals. But its path has not been so clean and easy. In the round of 32, Argentina survived a scare from Cape Verde (and its goalkeeper Vozinha) to win 3-2 in extra time.In the round of 16, Egypt seemed on the verge of upsetting Argentina, as it took a 2-0 lead in the second half. The lead might've been 3-0, but Egypt had a goal called back due to a VAR review. Then Argentina scored three goals in about 15 minutes to escape again with a 3-2 win. Afterward, Egypt complained in the media about Argentina receiving preferential treatment.Argentina's luck continued in the quarterfinals. It was tied 1-1 with Switzerland in the 72nd minute when Switzerland's Breel Embolo picked up a yellow card for flopping. The announcers questioned the call, especially since it was his Embolo's second yellow of the match, which meant he'd be sent off. He appeared to leave the field in tears and had to be consoled.Playing the rest of the game with a man-advantage, Argentina went on to win 3-1 in extra time. Does that mean Argentina is the team of destiny? Or will its luck run out at some point? Maybe it'll find out today, in the semifinals against England.3h ago / 3:00 PM EDTEngland vs. Argentina has kicked off!The blockbuster matchup that will decide who plays Spain in the World Cup final is underway!3h ago / 2:48 PM EDTHere are the starting 11s for England and ArgentinaFor the Three Lions:For La Albiceleste:3h ago / 2:42 PM EDTWill Jude Bellingham rescue England again?The 23-year-old midfielder had a solid enough start to this World Cup, recording two goals and an assist in the group stage. But as England advanced in the tournament, Bellingham continued to elevate his game. In the round of 16, he scored two crucial first-half goals in a 3-2 win over Mexico, in a game played in Mexico City in front of a raucous crowd. Then in the quarterfinals, he scored both goals in a 2-1 England win over Norway. After games, English fans have a tradition of serenading Bellingham with a rendition of the Beatles' song “Hey Jude.” If England wins it all, for the first time since 1966, Bellingham may never have to buy a pint in London again.4h ago / 2:33 PM EDTHarry Kane is England's top World Cup goal scorer This World Cup, the race for the Golden Boot has seemingly centered around some of the sport's bold-faced names: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland. But England's Harry Kane has been scoring at a prolific pace, too.In six games this tournament, Kane has scored six goals — the same amount he scored in 2018, when he won the Golden Boot, as England reached the semifinals. (His teammate Jude Bellingham has also recorded six goals at this World Cup, after a flurry of scoring in the knockout rounds.) Earlier this tournament, Kane became England's all-time leader in men's World Cup goals, passing Gary Lineker, who held the record with 10. Kane is up to 14 now, and Bellingham sits in third with seven career World Cup goals. The 32-year-old Kane holds the record for now (and might add to it today), but the 23-year-old Bellingham might have time on his side.4h ago / 2:17 PM EDTStreets of Atlanta are ready for the semifinalFans out and about in Atlanta are ready for Argentina vs. England in the World Cup semifinal.4h ago / 2:02 PM EDTAll-U.S. officials working first World Cup semifinalThis is the first time that an all-U.S. officiating crew has worked a World Cup semifinal, according to U.S. Soccer. The referees — Ismail Elfath, Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins — will be working their fourth match of this tournament together. They previously worked together during three matches of the 2022 World Cup.5h ago / 1:28 PM EDTEngland-Argentina semifinal is a 'coin flip'Drew Dinsick and Jay Croucher assess how England stacks up against a "very deep" Argentina squad, where it may not have "a lot left in the tank" on a short turnaround.5h ago / 12:57 PM EDTWill Messi get back in the scoring column?Although Argentine superstar Lionel Messi assisted on the first goal of Argentina's quarterfinal win over Switzerland, he ultimately did not score himself, breaking his nine-match scoring streak in World Cup competitions. Still, the match was another indication of just how valuable Messi remains at 39 years old. In his last eight knockout matches in the World Cup — when the stakes are the highest — Messi has racked up seven goals and six assists. 6h ago / 12:25 PM EDTBellingham on how he manages pressureJude Bellingham spoke after the match where England beat Norway to advance to the World Cup semifinals, describing how he deals with pressure and the togetherness of the England team.6h ago / 12:05 PM EDTEngland and Argentina fans ready to 'suffer' togetherFans of England and Argentina are ready to “suffer” together in Atlanta today, as this World Cup semifinal between two giants of the game is basically as big as it gets.The desperation to win is clear for the supporters and players. Both teams haven’t been great at this tournament, but they’re in the final four as they’ve similarly found a way to win.Everyone knows how big this is. Both countries live for soccer. This is a huge rivalry.A World Cup semifinal. Golden generations colliding. Iconic footballing nations. Legends leading the way in Harry Kane and Lionel Messi. Something must give in Atlanta. 6h ago / 11:45 AM EDTArgentina-England reignites geopolitical tensionsAfter Argentina's quarterfinal victory against Switzerland to set up a semifinal showdown against England, a journalist asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni about his message to his team considering its "rivalry" with England. “The message is this is a football game," Scaloni said. "That's what I can say. This is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach, and this is a football game, and that’s all.”But that's not all to those who see this match as a proxy fight between two nations with a testy relationship. After Argentina's Antonio Rattín was sent off against England during the 1966 World Cup — a moment that later led to the creation of the yellow and red card system — England's manager insulted Argentina's team as "animals." (Argentina wore black armbands memorializing Rattín on Saturday, following his death.) Twenty years later, Diego Maradona scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal to lead Argentina past England in a 1986 World Cup quarterfinal.But the tension goes well beyond soccer. In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands off its coast, where a British presence has remained since the 19th century. The skirmish lasted 10 weeks and led to hundreds of deaths before Argentina surrendered its fight to claim the islands, which are called the Malvinas in Argentina.The British still maintain a presence on the islands, where about 3,000 people live and statues remembering British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and another dedicated to "those who liberated us" in 1982 stand in the town of Stanley. But Argentina still disputes that presence. Just last week, the Argentine foreign minister wrote a story in an Argentine newspaper, La Nacion, saying that "by history, by law and by conviction, the Falkland Islands are Argentine."The foreign minister added that "time does not transform an illegitimate occupation into sovereignty. Nor will it divide the territorial unity."7h ago / 11:20 AM EDTEngland's star and coach clashed over Norway winEngland coach Thomas Tuchel's assessment that his team was "lucky" to beat Norway during a "sloppy" quarterfinal victory did not sit well with star player Jude Bellingham.Tuchel's comments came after the match to ITV Sport. Bellingham, asked minutes later about his coach's thoughts, started with "Yeah, well, whatever."Later after the match, Bellingham told reporters that "maybe (Tuchel) doesn’t know what it’s like to play in these types of conditions. ... That's not an easy team to play against."“We’ve tried to create a positive environment, and we should continue that into the final four. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. You’re not going to win every game popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes, you have to win dirty,” he said.After speaking with ITV, Tuchel said during his post-match news conference that his comments stemmed from his high demands for his team. “The head of mine is not fully satisfied and not 100% happy with the way we played, and I stand by it," Tuchel said. "I think we can play faster, more clinical. We had too many unforced errors and technical mistakes.” 7h ago / 11:20 AM EDTCan England end Messi's title defense?Joe Prince-Wright, Andy Edwards and Nick Mendola preview the England vs. Argentina semifinal, breaking down the biggest tactical battles and how Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane match up against Lionel Messi and Argentina.