Read 3 minutesUpdated: 16 July 2026 02:47 AM IST
Argentina upset England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Spain in the final. Until the 85th minute, Argentina looked set to be eliminated from the finals by France, the final World Cup finalist, when Anthony Gordon’s goal was tested. But Enzo Fernandes then equalized with a long-range strike. Then, with 30 more minutes of added time to be played, Lautaro Martínez put the ball into the net in the second minute of added time to give Argentina the win.
Golden Boot race leader Lionel Messi assisted on both of Argentina’s goals. Messi now has a goal or assist in his last 11 World Cup appearances. In truth, Argentina could have scored more goals. Alexis McAllister scored twice in the game.
Argentina have now won six out of six World Cup semi-finals.
Fernandes pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the 85th minute with a spectacular curler from outside the box that beat the otherwise unimpressive Jordan Pickford. Messi fed him the ball from the right.
Seven minutes later, Messi was confused again and delivered a wicked cross headed by Martinez.
France was beaten by Spain on Tuesday.
Earlier, Gordon finally broke the deadlock, completing his move from Newcastle United to Barcelona before the start of this World Cup. In the 55th minute there was an inch-perfect cross from Morgan Rodgers which Gordon curled into the back of the net to put England 1-0 up. Seconds later, full back DJ Spence prevented Giuliano Simeone from equalizing for Argentina with a perfectly timed sliding tackle.
There was plenty of action on the pitch in the first half but no goals were scored. A total of 19 fouls were committed – 12 by Argentina and seven by England. Seven of those came in the first 10 minutes. The referee withheld the flashing card but in the end, he had to show it to two players, England’s Elliott Anderson and Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez, in the first half.