Just like with Diego 40 years ago in Mexico 86, Argentina avenged Malvinas on the field again. In what was surely their best match so far, the national team defeated England 2-1 and advanced to the final of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Spain in search of back-to-back championships and the fourth star.
The start of the match would be extremely tight, with few chances and a very chaotic game, marked by recurring fouls from both sides. Only at 35, the Europeans would have a dangerous opportunity with a curled free kick from Reece James that Dibu Martínez would brilliantly clear.
In response, the Albiceleste would warn shortly after with a long-range shot from Enzo Fernández that would go just wide of the left corner of the goal.
After this first half with not many emotions in terms of goals, the second half would start with a bang with a double attempt from Julián Álvarez, the first saved by Jordan Pickford and the second hitting the part of the net that doesn’t count.
Although they would lose a bit of prominence, the Three Lions would gather dangerous approaches, including one that would lead to the 1-0 lead. At 54, Nicolás Tagliafico would clear poorly and, after receiving from Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers would cross for Anthony Gordon, who only had to push it in to put his team ahead.
Far from giving up, Lionel Scaloni's team would continue to press in search of the equalizer. Among their most dangerous chances would be a header from the recently substituted Nicolás González, which would be just barely saved by Pickford, and two other headed attempts from Alexis Mac Allister, one hitting the left post and another that the English goalkeeper would contain.
After so many attempts, the national team would finally reach the coveted 1-1. At 85, Messi would execute the corner kick play with the substituted Rodrigo De Paul and then pass the ball to Enzo, who with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area would level the score.
And that’s where it would end, as, although Mac Allister would hit a shot against the post, in the subsequent play, the GOAT would connect with a header from the substituted Lautaro Martínez to make it 2-1.
Despite the Europeans putting everything on the line, the Albiceleste defense would hold firmly to their lead until the end to seal their victory.
With this result, Argentina advanced to the grand final of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Spain next Sunday, July 19 at 16:00 (Argentina time) at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
On their part, England will have to play the third-place match against France next Saturday, July 18 at 18:00 (Argentina time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
