Two Goals in Seven Minutes: Argentina Break England and March Into the Final
England led until the 85th. Enzo Fernandez's 32-yard rocket & Lautaro Martinez's header from Messi's chip send Argentina to the final. How it happened.
FULL TIME: England 1-2 Argentina. For half an hour England could touch the final. Then seven minutes — and the cruellest stoppage time of this World Cup — took it all away. Enzo Fernandez's long-range strike on 85 and Lautaro Martinez's header in the second added minute turned the Atlanta semifinal on its head, and it is Argentina who march on to meet Spain.
Gordon's Goal Felt Like the Story
The opener, on 55 minutes, was built exactly as Thomas Tuchel drew it: Harry Kane dropping deep, a raking ball in behind, Morgan Rogers driving to the byline and cutting it back for Anthony Gordon to sweep past Emiliano Martinez at the far post. Mercedes-Benz Stadium's white end believed. A first final since 1966 was half an hour away.
A 32-Yard Thunderbolt, Then Messi's Chip
Argentina had 65 percent of the ball all night, and the pressure finally told. On 85 minutes Enzo Fernandez collected possession 32 yards out and arrowed a right-footed drive beyond Jordan Pickford. Seven minutes later came the moment that will be replayed for years: Alexis Mac Allister rattled the post, the loose ball fell to Lionel Messi, and the 39-year-old chipped a perfect delivery into the six-yard box. Lautaro Martinez escaped Ezri Konsa and John Stones and powered the header home — 2-1. Messi has now scored or assisted in 13 straight internationals.
Ten Added Minutes of Agony
Referee Ismail Elfath signalled ten additional minutes and the drama refused to settle. Rodrigo De Paul was booked on 90+4 after squaring up to Jude Bellingham. Tuchel rolled the dice with Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford on 90+6, abandoning shape for one last equaliser that never came. The full-time numbers were damning — Argentina led the shots on target count 5-2 — and Emiliano Martinez wound down the clock himself, stepping up to take a free kick at 90+10.
The Final: Argentina vs Spain, July 19
The defending champions face Spain on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium — one win from back-to-back titles and a storybook ending for Messi's international career. For England the wait stretches to 60 years, and it ends the way it did in 1986 and 1998: against Argentina, with the finest of margins. Here is what awaits in the final — which airs on FOX in the United States and the BBC in the United Kingdom. England 1-2 Argentina is the full-time score in Atlanta.
