1 of 5 | Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after beating England 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi assisted two late scores to spark a historic rally past England, leading Argentina back to the World Cup Final on Wednesday in Atlanta.
The top-ranked Argentines trailed 1-0 until the 85th minute of the tense semifinal meeting with their rivals at Atlanta Stadium. Enzo Fernandez logged a long-distance equalizer to keep the reigning champions alive. Lautaro Martinez, an 80th-minute substitute, netted the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
"This is really powerful," Martinez said on the Fox broadcast. "From the first time my old man bough me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal."
With the victory, the Argentines became the first team in history to score multiple winning goals in second-half stoppage time in a single World Cup. The reigning champions will face No. 2 Spain in the finale Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
