By Kayode Olopade
Argentina produced a thrilling late comeback to defeat England 2-1 on Wednesday night, booking their place in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Spain in a blockbuster title decider.
The defending champions looked destined for elimination after England seized control in the second half, but Lionel Messi inspired a remarkable turnaround with two decisive assists that kept Argentina's dream of retaining the trophy alive.
Played at Atlanta Stadium, the semi-final lived up to expectations as both sides battled fiercely in a tense opening half. Despite creating promising opportunities, neither team managed to break the deadlock before the interval.
England finally made the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon capped a flowing attacking move with a composed finish to hand the Three Lions a deserved lead.
With time running out, Argentina mounted relentless pressure in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Enzo Fernández latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Messi to level the scores.
As the contest appeared headed for extra time, Argentina struck the decisive blow in dramatic fashion. Lautaro MartÃnez fired home in the 90th minute after another brilliant setup by Messi, completing a stunning comeback and sending the reigning champions into their second successive World Cup final.
The victory extends Argentina's impressive title defence and sets the stage for a highly anticipated final against Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in Tuesday's first semi-final.
England, meanwhile, will seek consolation when they face France in the third-place playoff
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