REUTERS/Chris Radburn
England surrendered a lead to Argentina in the World Cup semifinal to lose 2-1
The 2026 World Cup may be coming to an end, but as Michael Caine advised Matthew McConaughey to do in Interstellar, it’s not going quietly into that good night. Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Argentina was another classic, with the latter scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes of the match to win 2-1.
Trailing England 1-0 due to a 55th minute goal from new Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon, Argentina equalized with an Enzo Fernandez outside-the-box banger to tie the match in the 85th before Lautaro Martinez headed home an inch-perfect cross from Lionel Messi to take the lead in the 92nd minute.
Videos show heartbroken fans in England and joyous fans in Argentina following dramatic World Cup semifinal match
The match ultimately concluded after roughly 10 minutes of added time in a 2-1 Argentina win, sending them to the 2026 World Cup Final against Spain on Sunday.
After taking a lead into the final five minutes of regular time, England fans were likely sure they’d be headed to the country’s first World Cup Final since 1966. Messi and Argentina had other ideas.
England 1-1 Argentina pic.twitter.com/lTwztSjFhx
— Midnite (@midnite) July 15, 2026
Devastation for England as Argentina make it 2-1 😧 pic.twitter.com/g0TO4t0KHg
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 15, 2026
While London may have been devastated, Buenos Aires was elated as their beloved national team earned a trip to its second straight World Cup Final.
TERRIFIC SCENES IN BUENOS AIRES AFTER ARGENTINA’S GAME-WINNING GOAL 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/WWVKfyBQh9
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026
ANOTHER TRIP TO THE FINAL FOR ARGENTINA 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/5blQPslFzS
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026
The World Cup Final will kick off on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 3 p.m. EST. Spain — the defending European champions, having won the Euros in 2024 — enter the matchup as early betting favorites at roughly -165, while defending champions Argentina are underdogs at roughly +130.
Argentina have been living and dying by the sword in their defense of their 2022 World Cup title, and it’s gotten them all the way to the final. Spain, however, boast a team that has paired the country’s general soccer ethos of death by a thousand cuts with an elite shutdown defense.