Argentina Stuns England to Reach World Cup Final, Setting Up Showdown with Spain

Published:Jul 16, 2026Jul 16, 20263 min read

Updated:Jul 16, 2026Jul 16, 2026

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Argentina produced a dramatic late comeback Wednesday to defeat England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup semifinal, earning a place in Sunday’s championship match against Spain. After trailing for much of the second half, the defending champions scored twice in the closing minutes to break English hearts and keep their title defense alive. England struck first in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon finished a well-worked attack, giving the Three Lions hope of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. Argentina controlled possession for long stretches but struggled to find a breakthrough until Enzo Fernández fired home the equalizer in the 85th minute. Moments later, Lionel Messi delivered another defining moment of his legendary career, setting up Lautaro Martínez for the stoppage-time winner that sent Argentina into celebration. Messi once again proved to be the catalyst, adding another assist to an already remarkable tournament. Argentina’s experience showed late as it continued pressing after falling behind, while England was unable to regain possession after shifting into a defensive posture. The result sends Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final, while England must regroup for Saturday’s third-place playoff.

Championship Match Preview

Sunday’s final features one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups as Spain meets Argentina for the World Cup title. Spain reached the final by defeating France 2-0 behind goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro while posting another clean sheet. Argentina arrives with momentum after consecutive knockout victories over Switzerland and England, led by the brilliance of Messi and a balanced attack. The championship pits Spain’s disciplined possession game against Argentina’s veteran leadership and attacking depth. Both nations have conceded very few goals during the knockout rounds, setting up what could be a tightly contested final.

World Cup Final & Third-Place Match

FIFA World Cup Final

Match: Spain vs. Argentina
Date: Sunday, July 19
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Betting Odds: Argentina -110, Spain +250, Draw +220 (90 minutes)
Key Players: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Unai Simón

Third-Place Match

Match: France vs. England
Date: Saturday, July 18
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Betting Odds: France +145, England +175, Draw +220 (90 minutes)
Key Players: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon

Betting Update: Golden Boot, Golden Glove & Tournament Awards

With just two matches remaining, the race for the Golden Boot has narrowed considerably. Lionel Messi moved into the lead at sportsbooks like DraftKins and BetMGM after assisting the winning goal against England and remains the betting favorite thanks to his eight-goal tournament total. Kylian Mbappé remains within striking distance, while England’s Jude Bellingham and Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez still have opportunities to improve their totals in the final weekend. The Golden Glove race appears equally competitive. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón strengthened his candidacy with another clean sheet against France, while Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez continues to produce timely saves throughout the knockout stage. Both goalkeepers will have one final opportunity to impress voters in Sunday’s championship. Other individual awards remain in play as well. Rodri and Messi headline the Golden Ball conversation for tournament MVP honors, while Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Argentina’s young midfield contingent remain among the leading candidates for Best Young Player. With the World Cup title and several prestigious individual honors still undecided, the tournament concludes with two matches carrying significant stakes for both teams and individual performers.

About the Author: Brian Deschamps

Sports is a passion of mine. I watch, play, eat and sleep all sports