Independ. Rivadavia vs Atlanta in Primera Nacional. The fixture is part of the Group A - 16 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio Juan Bautista Gargantini in Mendoza, Provincia de Mendoza. L. Rey Hilfer officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Independ. Rivadavia vs Atlanta meeting in Primera Nacional with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Independ. Rivadavia and Atlanta. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Primera NacionalRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Independ. RivadaviaIndepend. Rivadavia vs Atlanta in Primera Nacional. The fixture is part of the Group A - 16 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio Juan Bautista Gargantini in Mendoza, Provincia de Mendoza. L. Rey Hilfer officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Independ. Rivadavia vs Atlanta meeting in Primera Nacional with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Independ. Rivadavia and Atlanta. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Primera NacionalRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Independ. RivadaviaBrash midfielder has admirers in Madrid, though his World Cup displays illustrate what he can offer Xabi Alonso’s BluesEnzo Fernández was an unstoppable mix of style and spite during Argentina’s win over England. The midfielder’s first contribution during Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta was to plough into Elliot Anderson and clobber Manchester City’s new £116m signing round the head. He escaped without a booking, though, and made the most of some generous refereeing by showing the other side to his game when Argentina took control after going 1-0 down early in the second half.Much has already been said about England’s attempt to hold on to their lead. A particular frustration for fans who watch the Premier League every week was that not enough was done to disrupt Fernández. The Chelsea midfielder is a wonderful player in possession but can struggle when opponents run past him. That weakness has caused structural issues for Chelsea and will be a factor if they decide to sell the Argentinian this summer. Against England, though, Fernández was given space to do as he pleased during the second half. He pulled the strings next to Alexis Mac Allister and proved his big-game mentality by scoring the equaliser with a bending shot from 25 yards in the 85th minute. Continue reading...
Adrian Sousa from Rabona TV reviews a heartbreaking semifinal collapse for England as Lionel Messi's late brilliance sends the defending champions back to the final. The dream of bringing football home has dissolved in the most agonizing way imaginable. In an incredibly tense, dramatic World Cup Semifinal in Atlanta, a familiar script played out on the global stage. On the latest edition of Rabona TV, host Adrian Sousa dissects the structural choices that led to England’s devastating late collapse. Listen to the full tactical semifinal breakdown on Spotify to hear the complete post-match analysis. For 85 minutes, England did absolutely everything right. Thomas Tuchel’s side remained organized, suffocated dangerous spaces, and kept a quiet Lionel Messi isolated from his creative partners. The tactical game plan yielded the ultimate reward early in the second half when Anthony Gordon fired the Three Lions into a deserved 1-0 lead. With a spot in the final just five minutes away, England made the fatal decision to sit back, lower their defensive block, and try to absorb pressure. When you invite the greatest playmaker of all time to orchestrate outside your penalty area, you pay the ultimate price. Having been neutralized for the majority of the afternoon, Messi turned the entire match on its head with a pair of late, devastating moments: The Equalizer (85th minute): Messi drifted centrally, dragging the English central defenders with him before releasing a perfectly weighted ball to Enzo Fernández, who smashed home the equalizer.The Winner (Stoppage time): Pulling out to the right wing, Messi whipped a pinpoint, curling cross over the defensive line that substitute Lautaro Martínez powerfully headed past Jordan Pickford to complete the stunning turnaround. The lightning-fast, six-minute comeback extends England’s agonizing 60-year wait for a World Cup final appearance. Instead, the tournament bracket moves forward with a monumental, mouth-watering matchup. The death-defying defending champions, who have successfully navigated three consecutive knockout-round scares, march on to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. There, they will clash with a rampant Spain team on Sunday. The match sets up a historic bid to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil did so in 1962. You can stream the entire matchday overview right now. Check out the Rabona TV World Cup Recap on Spotify to stay completely updated on final scores, player ratings, and tactical previews ahead of the World Cup Final.
Dan Riccio and Blake Price break down Argentina's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England and preview the historic World Cup final matchup on The 90th Minute. The final showdown of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially locked in, and it promises to be one of the most narrative-heavy, poetic finals in football history. On the newest edition of The 90th Minute, hosts Dan Riccio and Blake Price recap a breathless night in Atlanta that saw the defending champions escape yet another single-elimination grave, before turning their attention to a highly anticipated generational battle in New Jersey. Listen to the full tactical recap and final preview on Spotify to catch up on the entire tournament breakdown. The show leads with a comprehensive autopsy of Argentina’s incredible 2-1 comeback victory over England at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions took a deserved 1-0 lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, dominating the tempo and limiting Argentina’s central avenues. However, England’s decision to drop deep and defend the narrow lead proved completely fatal. The champions mounted a furious late charge. Lionel Messi, pulling the strings from deep, orchestrated the escape with two pinpoint assists—setting up the equalizer in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez buried the 90th-minute match-winner. Dan and Blake debate whether England threw away their golden opportunity and look at what the future holds for this English squad. The focus shifts entirely to Sunday’s monumental World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium. The hosts describe this match as a dream clash of generations, framing it as a battle between Barcelona’s illustrious past and bright present. The Master: Lionel Messi is hunting a historic back-to-back global crown to put the definitive exclamation point on his legendary career.The Apprentice: 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal aims to cap off his tournament with the ultimate prize, cementing his trajectory as the game’s next all-time great. The duo analyzes the crucial tactical matchups—specifically how Spain’s suffocating midfield press led by Rodri will attempt to limit Messi’s space. They also build a highly debated combined Argentina-Spain starting XI and predict who will ultimately lift the trophy on July 19. You can stream the entire daily overview right now. Check out The 90th Minute on Spotify to stay completely updated on final scores, tactical breakdowns, and predictions ahead of the World Cup Final.
“I think there's not much to say. For now, everyone has to process what's just happened,” Harry Kane said after the defending champions, Argentina, rallied to beat England 2-1 and reach the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Enzo Fernández and the substitute Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina. Anthony Gordon had given England the lead, but Lionel Messi and co had other ideas. Argentina pushed for an equaliser and the pressure eventually led to Fernández scoring in the 85th minute. Martinez headed the winner two minutes into injury time.“Everyone's gutted. I'm gutted for all the boys, all the staff, everyone behind the scenes, because we know how much everyone puts into being a successful national team,” said Kane. “When you're so close, when you're 10-plus minutes away and it slips out of your hands like that, obviously, the lads are devastated.”England hearts broken after turnaround in AtlantaIn pictures: our pick of the best big-match images Continue reading...
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros deliver an unfiltered live reaction from Atlanta following Argentina's dramatic 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England. The hosts break down Thomas Tuchel's tactical failure to preserve a 1-0 lead, Enzo Fernández's world-class equalizer, and Lautaro Martinez's late 92nd-minute header that sent the Three Lions packing. Complete with viral tweets from football icons, a scathing look at England's 12% possession breakdown, and breaking injury news on William Saliba, the guys officially map out the angles for the ultimate Argentina vs. Spain final showdown.
Argentina completed an incredible comeback against England, with a late Lautaro Martinez goal securing their place in the final against Spain. Argentina secured a great 2-1 victory over England in the closing stages and booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Lautaro Martinez was the hero off the bench for Argentina, and he didn’t hold back on the emotion of the moment after the final whistle. “This is huge. I always dreamed of scoring this goal. My mom, from the day I left for Racing, never stopped making my bed. And that means more to me than a goal, than a final. I have my two kids, who have changed my life since they arrived. They made me slow down. Now I’m a man, I enjoy life,” Martinez said. The Inter Milan forward revealed he’d sensed the moment coming even before stepping onto the pitch against England. “I dreamed it, I swear, I told Alexis I was going to score a goal. I told Facu Medina on the bench that I was going to come on and win it. This team keeps showing what it’s made of,” he continued. Martinez also broke down how Argentina managed to turn the match around after going behind. “They got tired, after 60 minutes they had nothing left. They dropped back and we took advantage,” the forward concluded said. MESSI SENDS IT INTO TO LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ AND ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇦🇷WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6JqVAiIL9D— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026 How Argentina completed the comeback England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home a long cross from Morgan Rogers to put Thomas Tuchel’s side in front at Atlanta Stadium. Argentina responded with Enzo Fernandez, who leveled the score after being teed up by Lionel Messi. The game stayed level deep into the second half before Messi turned provider again, setting up Lautaro Martinez for a stoppage-time winner that completed the comeback and sent Argentina through to defend their title in the final against Spain.
With a great assist from Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez scored a header to complete Argentina's comeback in the 2026 World Cup semifinals against England. Argentina and England battled in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fueled by a pinpoint, right-footed cross from Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal to complete a stunning, stoppage-time comeback for the Albiceleste. England broke the ice in the 55th minute when Morgan Rogers whipped in a precise cross to Anthony Gordon, who shook off his marker, Nahuel Molina, to finish clinically with a first-time strike. Attempting to protect their slim lead, the Three Lions dropped deep into a defensive shell, which successfully frustrated Argentina until Enzo Fernandez leveled the score with a spectacular, long-range blast in the 85th minute. With the Three Lions struggling to escape their own half under relentless pressure, Alexis Mac Allister found a pocket of space to unleash a blistering strike that rattled off the post. The ball remained active deep in the right corner, and a relentless Lionel Messi sprinted to keep the play alive. After bringing the ball under control, Messi utilized his weaker right foot to whip a gorgeous, curling service to Lautaro Martinez, who rose above his marker in the 92nd minute to nod home the dramatic game-winner and punch Argentina’s ticket to the final. MESSI SENDS IT INTO TO LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ AND ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇦🇷WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6JqVAiIL9D— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026 With a thrilling 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Argentina will now travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final next Sunday, July 19th, at MetLife Stadium. This represents only the second time in Argentine history that the nation has reached back-to-back World Cup finals, matching the iconic runs of the 1986 and 1990 squads. Messi continues to rewrite the record books Despite a legendary scoring run earlier in the tournament, Messi was kept off the scoresheet for a second consecutive match following tight defensive game plans from Switzerland and England. However, his lack of goals has hardly diminished his impact, as the legendary playmaker found other ways to orchestrate Argentina’s march to yet another final. His vital assist to Mac Allister in the quarterfinal against Switzerland officially cemented Messi as the all-time assist leader in World Cup history. By adding another pair of brilliant setups against England, the Argentine captain has raised his unparalleled career tournament tally to 12 assists.
Argentina produced a spectacular comeback to defeat England and secure their place in the final against Spain. Spain and Argentina both booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final, closing out the semifinal round and setting up a heavyweight rematch of sorts on football’s biggest stage. The date, kickoff time, and venue for the match have already been confirmed. Spain got the semifinal round underway with a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the second half, sending Luis de la Fuente’s side into their second World Cup final in history. Argentina followed a day later with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England at Atlanta Stadium. Anthony Gordon had given the Three Lions the lead, but Enzo Fernandez leveled the match before Lautaro Martinez struck the winner, sending Lionel Scaloni’s side through to defend their title in the final. When and where will Spain and Argentina play in the final? Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM ET, in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in tournament history. Both sides arrive unbeaten across the knockout rounds, with a World Cup title on the line for each. The final is set: 🇪🇸🆚🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/KNZ3lX6YLV— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2026 Spain will be looking to add a second star to their crest since 2010, while Argentina chase back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1986 and 1990 editions, when Diego Maradona led them to consecutive finals. Which stadium will host the final? The venue for the match is New York New Jersey Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 82,500-seat venue is the largest at this year’s tournament and is expected to be at capacity for the closing match of the 2026 World Cup, with the trophy up for grabs between two nations chasing history.
England and Argentina clash in a crucial 2026 World Cup semifinal, with Spain waiting to find out their opponent in the final. The second semifinal of the 2026 World Cup takes place at Atlanta Stadium, where England and Argentina meet for the tournament’s second and final spot in Sunday’s showpiece, where Spain await for their rival. Argentina reached this stage by beating Switzerland in the overtime of the quarterfinals, a result that kept the defending champions’ title defense alive and extended their unbeaten run through the knockout rounds. For this crucial match, Lionel Messi will start and once again captain Argentina, standing as the team’s key figure as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with eight goals, level with Kylian Mbappe. On England‘s side, the Three Lions advanced to the semifinals after beating Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals, with a brace from Jude Bellingham. For this match, star man Harry Kane will start and captain the Europeans in their bid to reach the final. Harry Kane #9 of England celebrates a goal. (Getty Images) England’s confirmed lineup For this match, Thomas Tuchel’s biggest dilemma centers on the right side of defense, where Jarell Quansah won’t be available due to a suspension, with Reece James or Djed Spence in line to fill in for him. England’s confirmed starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane. Argentina’s confirmed lineup Lionel Scaloni has kept his cards close to the chest, having trialed a back-five system in training that would bring Nicolas Otamendi into the defense at the expense of Rodrigo De Paul. Scaloni has suggested he could still spring a surprise, though the more heavily backed option keeps the same shape that got past Switzerland. Argentina’s confirmed starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
Argentina face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, where Lautaro Martinez will begin the match on the bench. Argentina continue their title defense and now face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium. For this crucial game, coach Lionel Scaloni once again opted to leave Lautaro Martinez on the bench. For the third straight knockout match, Martinez will watch from the bench as Argentina kick off, with Julian Alvarez set to partner Lionel Messi up front once again. There’s no injury concern behind the call. Martinez trained normally in the buildup and remains available to come on if Scaloni needs a different look in attack, but the coaching staff has simply found no reason to break up a partnership that keeps delivering results. Julian Alvarez has earned his spot The forward spot next to Messi has been an open competition all tournament, and it’s one that’s tilted firmly in Alvarez’s favor since the knockout rounds began. After coming off the bench in the first two group-stage matches, the Atletico Madrid forward started against Jordan alongside a rotated lineup, with Messi among the substitutes that day. Julian Alvarez celebrates a goal for Argentina vs Switzerland. (Getty Images) However, his performance wasn’t enough to secure his spot as a starter for the next game. In the Round of 32 win over Cape Verde, Martinez returned to the starting lineup, but it was Alvarez’s performance off the bench that ultimately convinced Scaloni to hand him the start against Egypt in the Round of 16. By the quarterfinals against Switzerland, Alvarez was back in the starting lineup and was named man of the match after scoring a stunning goal — one that could be in contention for goal of the tournament — at a crucial moment in extra time to put his side ahead. With the forward in excellent form and riding a strong run over these last few matches, Scaloni has opted to keep him in the starting lineup alongside Messi up front, leaving Martinez as a solid option off the bench.
According to reports, Lionel Scaloni is considering changes around Lionel Messi ahead of the clash with England, with Rodrigo De Paul potentially left out of the starting lineup. Lionel Messi‘s Argentina remain firmly on course in their bid to defend their title, and they now face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, with a place in the final on the line. For this crucial match, Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make changes to the side that defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and according to ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig, Rodrigo De Paul is one of the players who could be dropped from the starting eleven. The Inter Miami midfielder is reportedly in danger of losing his starting spot against England, with Nicolas Gonzalez and Giuliano Simeone under consideration to replace him. De Paul was one of the low points in Argentina‘s win over Switzerland, which is why Scaloni could opt to bring in both Gonzalez and Simeone out wide in midfield. Up front, the coach is expected to keep Messi alongside Julian Alvarez, again leaving Lautaro Martinez among the substitutes. Giuliano Simeone #17 of Argentina is defended by Nizar Alrashdan #21 of Jordan. (Getty Images) Nicolas Otamendi could earn a spot as well Among the variants Scaloni is weighing is a change in formation. During much of Monday’s training session, the coach tested a back-five setup, with Nicolas Otamendi coming in as a center back alongside Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, aiming for a more solid structure against England’s attacking threat. That scheme would cost Rodrigo De Paul his spot in midfield to bring the veteran defender into the back line, a call Scaloni could hold off on until just before Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta. Playing with five defenders isn’t new for Scaloni — he made the same switch during Qatar 2022, changing his approach against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, a match Argentina went on to win on penalties.
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Brash midfielder has admirers in Madrid, though his World Cup displays illustrate what he can offer Xabi Alonso’s BluesEnzo Fernández was an unstoppable mix of style and spite during Argentina’s win over England. The midfielder’s first contribution during Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta was to plough into Elliot Anderson and clobber Manchester City’s new £116m signing round the head. He escaped without a booking, though, and made the most of some generous refereeing by showing the other side to his game when Argentina took control after going 1-0 down early in the second half.Much has already been said about England’s attempt to hold on to their lead. A particular frustration for fans who watch the Premier League every week was that not enough was done to disrupt Fernández. The Chelsea midfielder is a wonderful player in possession but can struggle when opponents run past him. That weakness has caused structural issues for Chelsea and will be a factor if they decide to sell the Argentinian this summer. Against England, though, Fernández was given space to do as he pleased during the second half. He pulled the strings next to Alexis Mac Allister and proved his big-game mentality by scoring the equaliser with a bending shot from 25 yards in the 85th minute. Continue reading...
Adrian Sousa from Rabona TV reviews a heartbreaking semifinal collapse for England as Lionel Messi's late brilliance sends the defending champions back to the final. The dream of bringing football home has dissolved in the most agonizing way imaginable. In an incredibly tense, dramatic World Cup Semifinal in Atlanta, a familiar script played out on the global stage. On the latest edition of Rabona TV, host Adrian Sousa dissects the structural choices that led to England’s devastating late collapse. Listen to the full tactical semifinal breakdown on Spotify to hear the complete post-match analysis. For 85 minutes, England did absolutely everything right. Thomas Tuchel’s side remained organized, suffocated dangerous spaces, and kept a quiet Lionel Messi isolated from his creative partners. The tactical game plan yielded the ultimate reward early in the second half when Anthony Gordon fired the Three Lions into a deserved 1-0 lead. With a spot in the final just five minutes away, England made the fatal decision to sit back, lower their defensive block, and try to absorb pressure. When you invite the greatest playmaker of all time to orchestrate outside your penalty area, you pay the ultimate price. Having been neutralized for the majority of the afternoon, Messi turned the entire match on its head with a pair of late, devastating moments: The Equalizer (85th minute): Messi drifted centrally, dragging the English central defenders with him before releasing a perfectly weighted ball to Enzo Fernández, who smashed home the equalizer.The Winner (Stoppage time): Pulling out to the right wing, Messi whipped a pinpoint, curling cross over the defensive line that substitute Lautaro Martínez powerfully headed past Jordan Pickford to complete the stunning turnaround. The lightning-fast, six-minute comeback extends England’s agonizing 60-year wait for a World Cup final appearance. Instead, the tournament bracket moves forward with a monumental, mouth-watering matchup. The death-defying defending champions, who have successfully navigated three consecutive knockout-round scares, march on to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. There, they will clash with a rampant Spain team on Sunday. The match sets up a historic bid to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil did so in 1962. You can stream the entire matchday overview right now. Check out the Rabona TV World Cup Recap on Spotify to stay completely updated on final scores, player ratings, and tactical previews ahead of the World Cup Final.
Dan Riccio and Blake Price break down Argentina's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England and preview the historic World Cup final matchup on The 90th Minute. The final showdown of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially locked in, and it promises to be one of the most narrative-heavy, poetic finals in football history. On the newest edition of The 90th Minute, hosts Dan Riccio and Blake Price recap a breathless night in Atlanta that saw the defending champions escape yet another single-elimination grave, before turning their attention to a highly anticipated generational battle in New Jersey. Listen to the full tactical recap and final preview on Spotify to catch up on the entire tournament breakdown. The show leads with a comprehensive autopsy of Argentina’s incredible 2-1 comeback victory over England at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions took a deserved 1-0 lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, dominating the tempo and limiting Argentina’s central avenues. However, England’s decision to drop deep and defend the narrow lead proved completely fatal. The champions mounted a furious late charge. Lionel Messi, pulling the strings from deep, orchestrated the escape with two pinpoint assists—setting up the equalizer in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez buried the 90th-minute match-winner. Dan and Blake debate whether England threw away their golden opportunity and look at what the future holds for this English squad. The focus shifts entirely to Sunday’s monumental World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium. The hosts describe this match as a dream clash of generations, framing it as a battle between Barcelona’s illustrious past and bright present. The Master: Lionel Messi is hunting a historic back-to-back global crown to put the definitive exclamation point on his legendary career.The Apprentice: 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal aims to cap off his tournament with the ultimate prize, cementing his trajectory as the game’s next all-time great. The duo analyzes the crucial tactical matchups—specifically how Spain’s suffocating midfield press led by Rodri will attempt to limit Messi’s space. They also build a highly debated combined Argentina-Spain starting XI and predict who will ultimately lift the trophy on July 19. You can stream the entire daily overview right now. Check out The 90th Minute on Spotify to stay completely updated on final scores, tactical breakdowns, and predictions ahead of the World Cup Final.
“I think there's not much to say. For now, everyone has to process what's just happened,” Harry Kane said after the defending champions, Argentina, rallied to beat England 2-1 and reach the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Enzo Fernández and the substitute Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina. Anthony Gordon had given England the lead, but Lionel Messi and co had other ideas. Argentina pushed for an equaliser and the pressure eventually led to Fernández scoring in the 85th minute. Martinez headed the winner two minutes into injury time.“Everyone's gutted. I'm gutted for all the boys, all the staff, everyone behind the scenes, because we know how much everyone puts into being a successful national team,” said Kane. “When you're so close, when you're 10-plus minutes away and it slips out of your hands like that, obviously, the lads are devastated.”England hearts broken after turnaround in AtlantaIn pictures: our pick of the best big-match images Continue reading...
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros deliver an unfiltered live reaction from Atlanta following Argentina's dramatic 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England. The hosts break down Thomas Tuchel's tactical failure to preserve a 1-0 lead, Enzo Fernández's world-class equalizer, and Lautaro Martinez's late 92nd-minute header that sent the Three Lions packing. Complete with viral tweets from football icons, a scathing look at England's 12% possession breakdown, and breaking injury news on William Saliba, the guys officially map out the angles for the ultimate Argentina vs. Spain final showdown.
Argentina completed an incredible comeback against England, with a late Lautaro Martinez goal securing their place in the final against Spain. Argentina secured a great 2-1 victory over England in the closing stages and booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Lautaro Martinez was the hero off the bench for Argentina, and he didn’t hold back on the emotion of the moment after the final whistle. “This is huge. I always dreamed of scoring this goal. My mom, from the day I left for Racing, never stopped making my bed. And that means more to me than a goal, than a final. I have my two kids, who have changed my life since they arrived. They made me slow down. Now I’m a man, I enjoy life,” Martinez said. The Inter Milan forward revealed he’d sensed the moment coming even before stepping onto the pitch against England. “I dreamed it, I swear, I told Alexis I was going to score a goal. I told Facu Medina on the bench that I was going to come on and win it. This team keeps showing what it’s made of,” he continued. Martinez also broke down how Argentina managed to turn the match around after going behind. “They got tired, after 60 minutes they had nothing left. They dropped back and we took advantage,” the forward concluded said. MESSI SENDS IT INTO TO LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ AND ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇦🇷WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6JqVAiIL9D— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026 How Argentina completed the comeback England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home a long cross from Morgan Rogers to put Thomas Tuchel’s side in front at Atlanta Stadium. Argentina responded with Enzo Fernandez, who leveled the score after being teed up by Lionel Messi. The game stayed level deep into the second half before Messi turned provider again, setting up Lautaro Martinez for a stoppage-time winner that completed the comeback and sent Argentina through to defend their title in the final against Spain.
With a great assist from Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez scored a header to complete Argentina's comeback in the 2026 World Cup semifinals against England. Argentina and England battled in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fueled by a pinpoint, right-footed cross from Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal to complete a stunning, stoppage-time comeback for the Albiceleste. England broke the ice in the 55th minute when Morgan Rogers whipped in a precise cross to Anthony Gordon, who shook off his marker, Nahuel Molina, to finish clinically with a first-time strike. Attempting to protect their slim lead, the Three Lions dropped deep into a defensive shell, which successfully frustrated Argentina until Enzo Fernandez leveled the score with a spectacular, long-range blast in the 85th minute. With the Three Lions struggling to escape their own half under relentless pressure, Alexis Mac Allister found a pocket of space to unleash a blistering strike that rattled off the post. The ball remained active deep in the right corner, and a relentless Lionel Messi sprinted to keep the play alive. After bringing the ball under control, Messi utilized his weaker right foot to whip a gorgeous, curling service to Lautaro Martinez, who rose above his marker in the 92nd minute to nod home the dramatic game-winner and punch Argentina’s ticket to the final. MESSI SENDS IT INTO TO LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ AND ARGENTINA TAKES THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇦🇷WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6JqVAiIL9D— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026 With a thrilling 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Argentina will now travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final next Sunday, July 19th, at MetLife Stadium. This represents only the second time in Argentine history that the nation has reached back-to-back World Cup finals, matching the iconic runs of the 1986 and 1990 squads. Messi continues to rewrite the record books Despite a legendary scoring run earlier in the tournament, Messi was kept off the scoresheet for a second consecutive match following tight defensive game plans from Switzerland and England. However, his lack of goals has hardly diminished his impact, as the legendary playmaker found other ways to orchestrate Argentina’s march to yet another final. His vital assist to Mac Allister in the quarterfinal against Switzerland officially cemented Messi as the all-time assist leader in World Cup history. By adding another pair of brilliant setups against England, the Argentine captain has raised his unparalleled career tournament tally to 12 assists.
Argentina produced a spectacular comeback to defeat England and secure their place in the final against Spain. Spain and Argentina both booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final, closing out the semifinal round and setting up a heavyweight rematch of sorts on football’s biggest stage. The date, kickoff time, and venue for the match have already been confirmed. Spain got the semifinal round underway with a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the second half, sending Luis de la Fuente’s side into their second World Cup final in history. Argentina followed a day later with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England at Atlanta Stadium. Anthony Gordon had given the Three Lions the lead, but Enzo Fernandez leveled the match before Lautaro Martinez struck the winner, sending Lionel Scaloni’s side through to defend their title in the final. When and where will Spain and Argentina play in the final? Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM ET, in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in tournament history. Both sides arrive unbeaten across the knockout rounds, with a World Cup title on the line for each. The final is set: 🇪🇸🆚🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/KNZ3lX6YLV— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2026 Spain will be looking to add a second star to their crest since 2010, while Argentina chase back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1986 and 1990 editions, when Diego Maradona led them to consecutive finals. Which stadium will host the final? The venue for the match is New York New Jersey Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 82,500-seat venue is the largest at this year’s tournament and is expected to be at capacity for the closing match of the 2026 World Cup, with the trophy up for grabs between two nations chasing history.
England and Argentina clash in a crucial 2026 World Cup semifinal, with Spain waiting to find out their opponent in the final. The second semifinal of the 2026 World Cup takes place at Atlanta Stadium, where England and Argentina meet for the tournament’s second and final spot in Sunday’s showpiece, where Spain await for their rival. Argentina reached this stage by beating Switzerland in the overtime of the quarterfinals, a result that kept the defending champions’ title defense alive and extended their unbeaten run through the knockout rounds. For this crucial match, Lionel Messi will start and once again captain Argentina, standing as the team’s key figure as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with eight goals, level with Kylian Mbappe. On England‘s side, the Three Lions advanced to the semifinals after beating Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals, with a brace from Jude Bellingham. For this match, star man Harry Kane will start and captain the Europeans in their bid to reach the final. Harry Kane #9 of England celebrates a goal. (Getty Images) England’s confirmed lineup For this match, Thomas Tuchel’s biggest dilemma centers on the right side of defense, where Jarell Quansah won’t be available due to a suspension, with Reece James or Djed Spence in line to fill in for him. England’s confirmed starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane. Argentina’s confirmed lineup Lionel Scaloni has kept his cards close to the chest, having trialed a back-five system in training that would bring Nicolas Otamendi into the defense at the expense of Rodrigo De Paul. Scaloni has suggested he could still spring a surprise, though the more heavily backed option keeps the same shape that got past Switzerland. Argentina’s confirmed starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
Argentina face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, where Lautaro Martinez will begin the match on the bench. Argentina continue their title defense and now face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium. For this crucial game, coach Lionel Scaloni once again opted to leave Lautaro Martinez on the bench. For the third straight knockout match, Martinez will watch from the bench as Argentina kick off, with Julian Alvarez set to partner Lionel Messi up front once again. There’s no injury concern behind the call. Martinez trained normally in the buildup and remains available to come on if Scaloni needs a different look in attack, but the coaching staff has simply found no reason to break up a partnership that keeps delivering results. Julian Alvarez has earned his spot The forward spot next to Messi has been an open competition all tournament, and it’s one that’s tilted firmly in Alvarez’s favor since the knockout rounds began. After coming off the bench in the first two group-stage matches, the Atletico Madrid forward started against Jordan alongside a rotated lineup, with Messi among the substitutes that day. Julian Alvarez celebrates a goal for Argentina vs Switzerland. (Getty Images) However, his performance wasn’t enough to secure his spot as a starter for the next game. In the Round of 32 win over Cape Verde, Martinez returned to the starting lineup, but it was Alvarez’s performance off the bench that ultimately convinced Scaloni to hand him the start against Egypt in the Round of 16. By the quarterfinals against Switzerland, Alvarez was back in the starting lineup and was named man of the match after scoring a stunning goal — one that could be in contention for goal of the tournament — at a crucial moment in extra time to put his side ahead. With the forward in excellent form and riding a strong run over these last few matches, Scaloni has opted to keep him in the starting lineup alongside Messi up front, leaving Martinez as a solid option off the bench.
According to reports, Lionel Scaloni is considering changes around Lionel Messi ahead of the clash with England, with Rodrigo De Paul potentially left out of the starting lineup. Lionel Messi‘s Argentina remain firmly on course in their bid to defend their title, and they now face England in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, with a place in the final on the line. For this crucial match, Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make changes to the side that defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and according to ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig, Rodrigo De Paul is one of the players who could be dropped from the starting eleven. The Inter Miami midfielder is reportedly in danger of losing his starting spot against England, with Nicolas Gonzalez and Giuliano Simeone under consideration to replace him. De Paul was one of the low points in Argentina‘s win over Switzerland, which is why Scaloni could opt to bring in both Gonzalez and Simeone out wide in midfield. Up front, the coach is expected to keep Messi alongside Julian Alvarez, again leaving Lautaro Martinez among the substitutes. Giuliano Simeone #17 of Argentina is defended by Nizar Alrashdan #21 of Jordan. (Getty Images) Nicolas Otamendi could earn a spot as well Among the variants Scaloni is weighing is a change in formation. During much of Monday’s training session, the coach tested a back-five setup, with Nicolas Otamendi coming in as a center back alongside Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, aiming for a more solid structure against England’s attacking threat. That scheme would cost Rodrigo De Paul his spot in midfield to bring the veteran defender into the back line, a call Scaloni could hold off on until just before Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta. Playing with five defenders isn’t new for Scaloni — he made the same switch during Qatar 2022, changing his approach against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, a match Argentina went on to win on penalties.
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