The holders are back in the final. Argentina came from a goal down to beat England 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lionel Messi pulling the strings as Enzo Fernández equalised late and substitute Lautaro Martínez struck a 92nd-minute winner. Here are our Argentina player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Key match stats
| Stat | Argentina | England |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 15 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 2 |
| Big chances created | 3 | 1 |
Argentina player ratings vs England
- GK — Emiliano Martínez: 7/10 — Beaten only by Gordon, one save, and calm as Argentina turned it around.
- RB — Nahuel Molina: 6.5/10 — Steady down the right before being withdrawn.
- CB — Cristian Romero: 7/10 — Combative and booked, but held firm after the break.
- CB — Lisandro Martínez: 6.5/10 — Booked and replaced on 72, otherwise solid.
- LB — Nicolás Tagliafico: 6.5/10 — Willing down the left before making way.
- DM — Leandro Paredes: 6.5/10 — Dictated early before being replaced on 64.
- CM — Enzo Fernández: 8.5/10 — The driving force. Equalised on 85 minutes with one of his four shots.
- CM — Alexis Mac Allister: 7.5/10 — Tireless in the middle with three efforts.
- RW — Giuliano Simeone: 6.5/10 — Energetic on the right before being subbed.
- FW — Lionel Messi (C): 7.5/10 — Dropped deep to conduct everything across 90 minutes.
- FW — Julián Álvarez: 7/10 — A persistent threat with three shots.
Substitutes
- Lautaro Martínez: 8/10 — Off the bench to win it, lashing home the 92nd-minute winner — his second knockout clincher as a substitute.
- Nico González: 6.5/10 — Fresh legs and an effort on goal.
- Rodrigo De Paul: 6.5/10 — Helped see it out after coming on.
- Nicolás Otamendi: N/A — Late defensive reinforcement.
- Gonzalo Montiel: N/A — On late at right-back.
England vs Argentina: how it unfolded
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon on 55 minutes, and Jordan Pickford’s three saves kept them in front. But Argentina, orchestrated by Lionel Messi, turned it late: Enzo Fernández drilled in the equaliser on 85 and substitute Lautaro Martínez struck the winner on 92. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane could not conjure a reply. Through Lionel Scaloni, Argentina march into the World Cup 2026 final to face Spain; Thomas Tuchel’s England are out.
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Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup 2026 semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead (55′), before Enzo Fernández (85′) and Lautaro Martínez (92′) won it for Argentina.
Yes. Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 and will face Spain in the final.
Enzo Fernández drove the comeback and scored the equaliser, while substitute Lautaro Martínez struck the winner.