Messi Sets Up Two Late Goals as Argentina Reach Final

Semifinal · Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · July 15, 2026

Lionel Messi set up two late goals as Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta and reach the World Cup final.

England led for more than half an hour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In front of 68,239 fans, they were ahead from the 55th minute until the 86th, before Messi turned the game in the closing minutes.

The first half was tight and goalless, with only three shots between the teams. Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute, set up by Morgan Rogers. Argentina had 64% of the ball and 15 shots, and Alexis Mac Allister hit the woodwork twice. They finally broke through in the 86th minute, when Messi set up Enzo Fernández, and Messi then created substitute Lautaro Martínez’s winner two minutes into stoppage time.

Lionel Scaloni went to his bench. Nicolás González replaced Leandro Paredes in the 64th minute, and Scaloni made three changes at once in the 72nd, sending on Nicolás Otamendi, Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo De Paul. In the 81st minute he took off defender Nicolás Tagliafico and sent on Lautaro, who scored the winner with his only shot.

Thomas Tuchel replaced Gordon with Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute. England lost Reece James to injury in the 82nd minute, with Dan Burn coming on, and Nico O’Reilly replaced Declan Rice at the same time. Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford came on in the 90th minute, after Argentina had equalized.

Argentina’s pressure built through the second half, when they took 13 of their 15 shots. They put five on target to England’s two from five shots, and won six corners to one. Argentina completed 91% of their 590 passes, England 84% of 324. Jordan Pickford made three saves, Emiliano Martínez one.

Messi, who has eight goals at this World Cup, did not score but was GoalServe’s highest-rated player. He completed nine dribbles, created four chances and set up both goals. Fernández had four shots, and Cristian Romero made four tackles and two interceptions at the back. Paredes also made four tackles before he was replaced.

For England, Djed Spence made five tackles and two interceptions, and Elliot Anderson made three tackles. Rice made two tackles and two interceptions and created two chances. Rogers, who set up the goal, also completed a dribble and made a tackle.

There were four yellow cards. Anderson was booked in the 37th minute, Lisandro Martínez in the 42nd and Romero in the 51st, and De Paul was booked four minutes into stoppage time.

Tuchel picked a 4-2-3-1, with Rice and Anderson in midfield and Harry Kane up front. Scaloni went with a 4-1-4-1, with Paredes in front of the defense and Giuliano Simeone, Fernández, Mac Allister and Julián Alvarez behind Messi.

Argentina, the defending champions, will face Spain in the final. England will play France for third place.

More: England at the 2026 World Cup · Argentina at the 2026 World Cup

ESO Soccer Match Desk

Archive coverage. First published on ESO Soccer on October 3, 2026. The archive date reflects the events covered.