“Anthony Gordon punished Argentina against the run of play, converting from very close range with a right-footed finish to give England a shock lead despite Argentina controlling the game.”
Pivotal“Jordan Pickford made a crucial save to deny Enzo Fernández's first attempt from outside the box, pushing it onto the top of the bar — but Argentina were not to be denied from the resulting corner.”
“Substitute Lautaro Martínez completed Argentina's stunning stoppage-time turnaround with a close-range header, sending England out of the World Cup minutes after the fourth official signalled nine minutes of added time.”
Pivotal
England
Argentina
Outstanding performance
Argentina•AttackerArgentina dominated this World Cup encounter from start to finish, controlling 65% of possession and creating three big chances to England's one, yet found themselves behind until the dying stages. England's goal came against the run of play — Anthony Gordon converting from close range in the 55th minute after Argentina's build-up was disrupted by their own defensive free kick — and Gareth Southgate's side spent the remainder of the match defending deep, managing just 35% possession and five shots in total. The numbers told the story of a siege: Argentina registered 15 shots, six corners and 69 dangerous attacks, but England's backline, marshalled doggedly despite the absence of injured John Stones late on, held firm until the 86th minute when Enzo Fernández rifled a right-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom left corner, with Lionel Messi teeing him up following a corner routine. With momentum fully behind them, Argentina completed the turnaround in stoppage time as substitute Lautaro Martínez met a cross with a header from close range — sending England crashing out of the World Cup and extending Argentina's dominance in this fixture with a result that once again underlined their clinical edge when it matters most.
How entertaining was this match?
Foul committed by Jude Bellingham (England).
Lionel Messi wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Substitution for England: Ivan Toney comes on for John Stones.
Substitution for England: Marcus Rashford comes on for Djed Spence.
Rodrigo De PaulYellow CardRodrigo De Paul from Argentina receives a yellow card.
Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister from Argentina has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked.
assist: Lionel Messi
Goal! Argentina leads 2-1 with a header from very close range by Lautaro Martínez.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 9 minutes of added time.
Delay is over. The teams are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to John Stones from England.
assist: Lionel Messi
Goal! The match is tied 1-1 as Enzo Fernández scores for Argentina with a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Lionel Messi after a corner.
Attempt saved. Enzo Fernández's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal by Jordan Pickford. Julián Alvarez provided the assist.
Corner awarded to Argentina after a concession by Jordan Pickford.
Rodrigo De Paul from Argentina has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked.
Substitution for England: Nico O'Reilly comes on for Declan Rice.
Substitution for England: Dan Burn comes on for Reece James due to an injury.
Delay is over, and they are set to continue.
Harry Kane wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Nico González commits a foul for Argentina.
Substitution for Argentina: Lautaro Martínez comes on for Nicolás Tagliafico.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Reece James from England.
Morgan Rogers' right-footed shot from outside the box for England is blocked.
Nico González is caught offside for Argentina.
Alexis Mac Allister hits the left post with a header from the center of the box, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul’s cross.
Attempt missed. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) takes a left-footed shot from the center of the box but misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Alexis Mac Allister's header from the center of the box is saved.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for England: Ezri Konsa comes on for Anthony Gordon.
Substitution for Argentina: Gonzalo Montiel comes on for Nahuel Molina.
Substitution for Argentina: Nicolás Otamendi comes on for Lisandro Martínez.
Substitution for Argentina: Rodrigo De Paul comes on for Giuliano Simeone.
Attempt saved. Nico González's header from the center of the box is saved by Jordan Pickford in the center of the goal. The assist came from Lionel Messi's cross.
Cristian Romero commits a foul for Argentina.
Delay in the match in Argentina.
Djed Spence wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Corner awarded to Argentina after a concession by Elliot Anderson.
Morgan Rogers commits a foul for England.
Nicolás Tagliafico wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Argentina wins a corner after Declan Rice concedes.
Attempt blocked. Harry Kane's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Declan Rice provided the assist.
Declan Rice's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Substitution for Argentina: Nico González comes on for Leandro Paredes.
Attempt missed by Enzo Fernández from Argentina, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Argentina wins a corner after Djed Spence concedes.
assist: Morgan Rogers
Goal! England leads Argentina 1-0. Anthony Gordon scores for England with a right-footed shot from very close range.
Delay in the match in Argentina.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Cristian Romero wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Cristian Romero of Argentina receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Jude Bellingham from England is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Cristian Romero commits a foul for Argentina.
Attempt saved. Julián Alvarez's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Jordan Pickford.
Corner awarded to Argentina after a concession by Jordan Pickford.
Attempt missed. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) has a right-footed shot from a challenging angle on the right that is close, but goes just wide to the right. He was assisted by Lionel Messi.
The second half begins with the score at 0-0 between England and Argentina.
The first half ends with the score at England 0, Argentina 0.
England win a corner after Enzo Fernández concedes.
Reece James from England wins a free kick on the right wing.
Leandro Paredes from Argentina is called for dangerous play.
Offside for England. Morgan Rogers is caught offside.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Elliot Anderson wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Enzo Fernández commits a foul for Argentina.
Morgan Rogers from England wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Lisandro Martínez of Argentina.
Lisandro MartínezYellow CardLisandro Martínez of Argentina receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Lionel Messi's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Leandro Paredes provided the assist.
Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández from Argentina takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes just a bit too high after a set piece situation.
Elliot AndersonYellow CardElliot Anderson from England receives a yellow card for a foul.
Lionel Messi wins a free kick for Argentina in the attacking half.
Elliot Anderson commits a foul for England.
Jude Bellingham of England wins a free kick on the left wing.
Nahuel Molina commits a foul for Argentina.
Marc Guéhi from England is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Giuliano Simeone of Argentina.
Attempt missed. John Stones (England) headed the ball from the right side of the six-yard box after a set piece situation.
Jude Bellingham wins a free kick for England in the attacking half.
Enzo Fernández commits a foul for Argentina.
Giuliano Simeone wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Anthony Gordon wins a free kick for England in the attacking half.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Jordan Pickford wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Giuliano Simeone of Argentina.
The match is currently delayed for a drinks break.
Argentina wins a corner after Djed Spence concedes.
Foul committed by Jude Bellingham (England).
Alexis Mac Allister wins a free kick for Argentina in the attacking half.
Morgan Rogers commits a foul for England.
Nicolás Tagliafico wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Offside against Argentina. Lionel Messi is caught offside.
Anthony Gordon of England wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Giuliano Simeone commits a foul for Argentina.
Offside for Argentina. Giuliano Simeone is caught offside.
Delay in the match in Argentina.
Delay is over, and they are set to continue.
Elliot Anderson commits a foul for England.
Enzo Fernández wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Nicolás Tagliafico wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Reece James commits a foul for England.
Elliot Anderson wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Giuliano Simeone of Argentina.
Julián Alvarez wins a free kick for Argentina in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Marc Guéhi of England.
Corner awarded to England after Alexis Mac Allister concedes.
Foul committed by Giuliano Simeone of Argentina.
Elliot Anderson wins a free kick for England in the defensive half.
Elliot Anderson wins a free kick for England in the attacking half.
Enzo Fernández commits a foul for Argentina.
Leandro Paredes commits a foul for Argentina.
Jude Bellingham from England is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick-off! The referee is Ismail Elfath.
England and Argentina collide in one of football's most storied rivalries as they battle for a place in the 2026 World Cup Final in Atlanta. This is the first World Cup meeting between the two nations in 24 years, and the first time Lionel Messi has ever faced England on any stage. With Jude Bellingham in unstoppable form and Argentina's defending champions riding a wave of drama, this semi-final promises to be an unforgettable occasion.
