England Collapse As Messi Inspires Argentin…

Defending champions Argentina advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a late 2-1 win over England on Wednesday night.

Fixture: England v Argentina
Score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Gordon (55′) / Fernandez (85′), Martinez (92′)

Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel made a surprise switch in the attack as Morgan Rogers was given a start in place of Noni Madueke, who dropped to the bench while Reece James and Djed Spence were also brought back into the side.

The game proved to be fiery affair from the onset after Enzo Fernandez left his arm in Elliot Anderson’s back, with the player’s needing to be separated early on by the referee, which certainly set the tone for the rest of the half.

The intensity of the encounter remained present as the first half went on but while the players were getting stuck in, there was a real lack of quality in the final third from both sides, despite boasting some real attacking talent on the pitch.

That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half, with England only looking dangerous on set-pieces while they couldn’t get the ball to Jude Bellingham in the opening 45 minutes. As for Argentine, Messi was closely monitored throughout the contest and closed down whenever he got on the ball in and around the final third.

That all changed ten minutes into the second half when England won the ball high up the pitch as Declan Rice played in an-unmarked Rogers, who did well to send a cross to the far post, where Anthony Gordon was on hand to fire home the opening goal.

The Argentines looked to their talisman, Messi, to make things happen and he very nearly did just before the hydration break when his superb cross found Nicolas Gonzalez, who saw his header brilliantly turned away by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The reigning champions got their award as Messi picked up the assist by picking out Enzo Fernandez, who took one touch before rifling the ball into the far corner from around 20 yards out, leaving Pickford with no chance.

The South Americans completed the turnaround in the first minute of time added on when substitute Lautaro Martinez got on the end of Messi’s cross and headed into the back of the net, sending his side to back-to-back World Cup finals.

Related tags