Argentina stage dramatic comeback against England to reach consecutive World Cup finals

Argentina scored two late goals to flip the script against England and qualify for the final of the 2026 World Cup. 

An 85th-minute swerving shot from Enzo Martinez and a Lautaro Martinez header in stoppage time rendered Anthony Gordon’s strike a mere consolation at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday night.

The late collapse from England was the making of Thomas Tuchel and his hurried defensive substitutions after his team went ahead in the 55th minute. The tactical mishap played into the hands of Lionel Scaloni’s men, who reached their second consecutive World Cup finals.

Tuchel started the match with a slight personnel tweak, with Morgan Rogers out wide ahead of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke. Scaloni also started Guiliano Simone, with Rodrigo De Paul left out.

Rhythm was hard to come by in the opening 45 minutes as both sides engaged in a stop-start midfield war of attrition. Cynical fouls punctuated the play, with Elliot Anderson picking up a caution for England and Lisandro Martinez matching him for La Albiceleste. Clear-cut chances were virtually non-existent as the first half drew to a scoreless conclusion.

The contest finally sparked into life ten minutes into the second period. A swift, incisive English attack found Gordon, who clinically finished past Emiliano Martínez, sending the travelling Three Lions fans into absolute raptures.

Tuchel immediately sought to protect the lead, bringing on defender Ezri Konsa for the goalscorer shortly after, while Scaloni threw caution to the wind by introducing De Paul and Lautaro Martínez to bolster the reigning champions’ attack.

England’s defensive resistance stood firm until the 85th minute, when the pressure finally cracked them. Enzo Fernández found space on the edge of the area and rifled a brilliant effort past a helpless Jordan Pickford to restore parity.

With extra time looming, Argentina delivered the definitive hammer blow two minutes into stoppage time. Lionel Messi manufactured space for himself and delivered a signature, pinpoint cross into the danger zone, and substitute Lautaro Martinez rose highest to power a definitive header past Pickford.

Tuchel threw on Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney in a desperate final throw of the dice, but it proved too little, too late. Argentina held on through a frantic final few moments to secure their place in Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will face Spain.(TheCable)