Reigning champions Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and reach their second World Cup final in a row, where they will face Spain.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute but Enzo Fernandez equalised 30 minutes later and Lautaro Martinez headed in the winner in stoppage time from Lionel Messi's cross.
Argentina will have a chance to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups after Messi, 39, once again dragged his team to victory.
The South Americans will face a Spain team in the final who beat France 2-0 in Tuesday's semi-final.
Welcome to TNIE's live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals.
The first semi-final saw Spain beat favourites France 2-0 on Tuesday to reach the World Cup final thanks to a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Porro.
From the opening whistle, Luis de la Fuente's side controlled the contest with their slick passing, relentless pressing and composure in possession.
The European champions will face the winner of Wednesday's semi-final between England and Argentina in the final as they try to win the World Cup for a second time.
Today, Lionel Messi's Argentina face England in their first competitive meeting since the 2002 World Cup, with a spot in the final at stake. Messi will be taking on England for the first time in his illustrious career.
The clash between two global football giants is mouthwatering enough, but it also rekindles one of the World Cup's fiercest rivalries, dating back to the early 1960s.
Here is Day 35's fixture:
England vs Argentina — 12:30 am IST
Thomas Tuchel said he did not feel burdened by the weight of history as he bids to lead England to a first World Cup final in 60 years by beating Argentina on Wednesday.
The Three Lions have been led at the 2026 tournament by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have each scored six goals.
Remarkably, it will be the first time Lionel Messi has faced England at the grand old age of 39 despite the historical significance of the fixture.
Former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel said he did not feel extra pressure as he spoke to reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"I don't feel a burden. We feel the tension and will be nervous but that is normal," he said.
"What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this match.
"The two shirts are just iconic. There are historic matches, iconic moments and everyone recognises the shirts and players straight away."
For a place in the @FIFAWorldCup final.
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
It’s matchday for the #ThreeLions in Atlanta! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/Zq8vI0tGFM
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was not concerned about fatigue or his team's performances on the way to another World Cup semi-final as they prepare to renew their rivalry with England on Wednesday.
The holders will be seeking to make it to consecutive finals by beating Thomas Tuchel's side in a fixture that evokes 1986 and Diego Maradona, as well as the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
"We are in good shape and we really can't wait. This is a World Cup semi-final and our hopes are intact. We are so grateful to these players for getting us here again," Scaloni told reporters on the eve of the showdown in Atlanta.
Argentina, with an ageing side led by a 39-year-old Lionel Messi, have had to battle their way through the knockout rounds to get here.
"A month and a half ago I would have taken getting to the semi-final if you had offered me that, so I don't mind how we got here," said Scaloni, who coached the Albiceleste to glory in 2022.
"I can't reproach my players. Whether we are tired or not I don't care. This is a World Cup semi-final."
Focused and ready 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/tPEilL2o9F
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 13, 2026
Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister has urged his team to take inspiration from Diego Maradona as they seek to get the better of England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The late Maradona scored both of Argentina's goals in the quarter-final -- the infamous "Hand of God" opener and then a dazzling solo effort that is one of the greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup.
Argentina went on to win the trophy, an achievement they matched in 2022, with Lionel Messi the inspiration and Mac Allister in the side.
"I don't know if it's just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the '86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them," Liverpool's Mac Allister told reporters on Tuesday.
"Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986," added the midfielder, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona for Argentina and at Boca Juniors.
Time for the final touches 💪 pic.twitter.com/JY9NTVirxB
— England (@England) July 14, 2026
Ready for Argentina! 👊 pic.twitter.com/5fSh9K1tir
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 15, 2026
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽
Así formará #Argentina para el duelo ante #Inglaterra 🏴 💪
🙌 #TodosJuntos. Detrás de una pelota, detrás de un sueño, detrás de nuestra bandera 🩵🤍 pic.twitter.com/sv3PLv1YgQ
Kick-off next: The national anthems have been played, and we're moments away from kick-off as England and Argentina renew one of the World Cup's defining rivalries for the first time since 2005 which was an international friendly in Geneva.
KICK-OFF UNDERWAY!
All to play for. Harry Kane's England are chasing their first World Cup final since 1966, while Lionel Messi's Argentina are aiming to keep their title defence alive against Spain on Sunday.
FIRST HALF: Early England control as tempers flare
England keep possession in the opening exchanges, seemingly intent on quietening the passionate Argentina fans in Atlanta.
Play is briefly halted after Elliot Anderson takes a whack to the back of the head from Enzo Fernández near the centre circle. A needless challenge from the Chelsea midfielder, and England have the free-kick.
Tempers are flaring already.
There's plenty of shoving and pushing between the players after the challenge, with Harry Kane leading England's protests to the referee. The England players are incensed that Enzo has escaped without a booking.
England face Argentina in Atlanta with a place in the World Cup final on the line. Awaiting the winners are Spain, who booked their place in Sunday's final in New Jersey with victory over France.
The Three Lions are aiming to reach their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966, while Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become back-to-back world champions.
FIRST HALF: No chances, plenty of tackles
This has been a feisty opening 15 minutes in Atlanta.
Crunching tackles are flying in from both sides, with seven fouls already committed, but neither goalkeeper has been tested.
Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández are at the heart of the early flashpoints, the pair grappling on the turf before Morgan Rogers and Leandro Paredes become involved in another coming together.
England will want to avoid getting drawn into the sort of physical contest that could play into Argentina's hands.
FIRST HALF: More fouls than football
England have controlled possession for much of the opening 20 minutes, with play largely confined to the edge of Argentina's defensive third.
Argentina have brought plenty of intensity, perhaps too much at times.
The challenges have been robust, with frequent fouls disrupting the flow and preventing either side from settling into a rhythm. It has been a scrappy, stop-start opening rather than a spectacle, with England looking the more composed side in possession.
Referee Ismail Elfath has had plenty to deal with already and England will know the importance of keeping their discipline as the physical contest threatens to boil over.
FIRST HALF: Anderson at the heart of England's start
England have enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, forcing Argentina onto the back foot in a fiercely contested first half.
By the first hydration break, Elliot Anderson had been the standout performer. The midfielder had recorded a match-high 29 touches, completed 18 of his 19 passes, won five of seven duels, and contributed a tackle, an interception, a clearance and three fouls won as England dictated possession.
FIRST HALF: Yellow cards are finally out!
Lionel Messi weaves past three England players after Argentina break from a free-kick, only to be brought down by Elliot Anderson in midfield.
The challenge sparks the biggest flashpoint of the match so far, with several Argentina players surrounding referee to demand a booking.
The referee duly cautions Anderson — the first yellow card of the game — although England may feel similar challenges earlier in the contest went unpunished.
Minutes later, Lisandro Martínez becomes the second player to go into the book after bringing down an England player to halt a promising counter-attack. The yellow card brings a measure of balance after Anderson was earlier cautioned, with the physical contest showing little sign of easing.
No shots on target. No goals. All square at the break.
The whistle is greeted by more protests, with both Harry Kane and Lionel Messi in the referee's ear after an absorbing, hard-fought opening 45 minutes. It's been fiercely contested, but short on goalmouth action.
England spent much of the first half camped in Argentina's half but were unable to carve out a clear-cut chance.
No changes from either side at the break in what has already been an eventful, if goalless, contest.
After a brief delay and a retake of the kick-off, the second half is finally under way. The restart is initially waved back after a couple of England players stray over the halfway line too early.
England, Argentina set unwanted record in first half
30 - England v Argentina is the first FIFA World Cup match on record (since 1966) not to see a single shot in the first 30 minutes. Indeed, the previous record for longest wait for a shot was England's last game against Norway (29th min).
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026
Cagey. pic.twitter.com/06nQhWQrEq
SECOND HALF: Pickford to England's rescue
Jordan Pickford is finally called into action — and produces a superb save.
A long ball catches England out before Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez combine neatly, with the striker driving a powerful effort towards the near post. Pickford reacts sharply to turn it behind with a strong right hand.
It's the first save of the match, and Argentina have their first corner after the follow-up takes a deflection into the side netting.
SECOND HALF: Romero into the book
Cristian Romero becomes the latest player to be cautioned. No surprises here!
The Argentina defender all but bear-hugs Jude Bellingham to halt another dangerous England break, leaving the referee with little choice but to produce a yellow card. The bookings are beginning to mount in a match that's showing no signs of cooling down.
England have the breakthrough — and it's Anthony Gordon who delivers.
Morgan Rogers produces a superb cross from the right and Gordon times his run to perfection, slipping between the defenders before guiding a composed first-time finish beyond Emiliano Martínez and into the far corner.
England have the lead in Atlanta and are 35 minutes away from a place in the World Cup final.
GOAL! Anthony Gordon (55 min). ENG 1-0 ARG
SECOND HALF: Spence's heroic tackle keeps England ahead
Djed Spence produces a superb last-ditch challenge to preserve England's lead.
Argentina break at pace after Harry Kane is dispossessed, with Giovanni Simeone racing into the penalty area seemingly through on goal. But Spence times his sliding tackle to perfection, winning the ball cleanly before sending it behind for a corner.
The defender leaps to his feet and celebrates the intervention as if he has scored, roaring towards the crowd while his team-mates rush over to congratulate him. If England reach the final, this could prove to be one of the defining moments.
SECOND HALF: Argentina make first change
Lionel Scaloni turns to his bench for the first time.
Nico González replaces Leandro Paredes as Argentina look for a route back into the match after falling behind to Anthony Gordon's goal.
SUB (64 min): Nico González (In) and Leandro Paredes (Out)
SECOND HALF: Pickford with a big save!
Jordan Pickford produces another outstanding save to preserve England's lead.
Nico González meets a teasing cross with a powerful close-range header, but the England goalkeeper reacts brilliantly, diving low to his right to claw the effort away before pushing it clear.
It's Argentina's best chance of the match and Pickford's second crucial intervention of the half.
With England under sustained pressure, the referee signals for the hydration break, giving Thomas Tuchel's side a welcome chance to regroup as they edge closer to a place in the World Cup final.
SECOND HALF: England bring Konsa on to shore up defence
Thomas Tuchel makes a defensive switch as Ezri Konsa replaces goalscorer Anthony Gordon.
With England protecting a 1-0 lead, it's a clear signal they're looking to see the game out as Argentina continue to push for an equaliser.
SUB (72 min): Ezri Konsa (In) and Anthony Gordon (Out)
SECOND HALF: Triple change for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni rings the changes with a triple substitution as Argentina chase an equaliser.
SUB (72 min):
Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Otamendi (In)
Giovanni Simeone, Nahuel Molina and Lisandro Martínez (Out)
SECOND HALF: Argentina hit the post
Argentina go agonisingly close to an equaliser.
A whipped cross finds Alexis Mac Allister, whose glancing header beats Jordan Pickford but crashes back off the post.
Moments later, Mac Allister rises again to meet another inviting delivery from Rodrigo De Paul, but this time Pickford is well positioned to gather.
England are under relentless pressure as Argentina pile forward in search of a leveller.
SECOND HALF: Argentina go all-out in attack
Lionel Scaloni throws on more firepower.
Lautaro Martínez replaces Nicolás Tagliafico as Argentina make another attacking change, committing even more bodies forward in pursuit of an equaliser. England face a tense final 10 minutes.
SUB (81 min): Lautaro Martínez (In) and Nicolás Tagliafico (out)
SECOND HALF: England freshen up midfield
Thomas Tuchel makes a double substitution as England look to see out the closing stages.
Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly replace Declan Rice and Reece James, with fresh legs introduced as Argentina continue to press for an equaliser.
SUB (82 min):
Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly (In)
Declan Rice and Reece James(Out)
Argentina's pressure finally tells — and it's Enzo Fernández who delivers with a stunning equaliser.
The corner is worked short before Lionel Messi rolls the ball back to Fernández on the edge of the area.
Given too much space, the midfielder takes a touch and curls a superb strike through a crowd of bodies and beyond Jordan Pickford.
England had weathered wave after wave of Argentina attacks, but this time Pickford is left with no chance. It is a goal that has felt increasingly inevitable, and the World Cup semi-final is level once again.
GOAL! Ezno Fernández (84 min). ENG 1-1 ARG
5 - Argentina have scored five goals from outside the box at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Lionel Messi x2, Giovani Lo Celso, Julián Alvarez, Enzo Fernández) - the joint-most on record (from 1966) by any side in a single edition.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026
Scope. pic.twitter.com/ntiICArCof
SECOND HALF: Nine minutes to settle it
There will be nine minutes of added time in Atlanta.
Argentina have been irresistible since falling behind, pinning England back for much of the second half before Enzo Fernández's deserved equaliser. With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, there's still time for one final twist.
Argentina have turned it around at the death — and Lautaro Martínez may just have sent the holders into another World Cup final.
Alexis Mac Allister crashes a shot against the post, but the danger isn't over. Lionel Messi is first to the loose ball, surges down the right and delivers a superb cross for Martínez, who powers a close-range header beyond Jordan Pickford.
It's heartbreak for England. After retreating to protect their lead, they have been punished by an unrelenting Argentina side, who now stand on the brink of another World Cup final.
GOAL! Lautaro Martínez (90+2 min). ENG 1-2 ARG
SECOND HALF: England throw on Toney and Rashford
England go for broke as they chase an equaliser. Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford are thrown on, with John Stones and Djed Spence making way.
England are sending balls into the Argentina box, while the World Cup holders defend their lead deep inside their own half — much like they did before England's opening goal.
SUB (90+5 min):
Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford (In)
John Stones and Djed Spence (Out)
SECOND HALF: England run out of ideas
England continue to throw everything forward, but Argentina are standing firm. Cross after cross is launched into the box, yet the World Cup holders keep heading the danger away.
Time is running out for England, with just a minute of normal time remaining — though Enzo Fernández's goal may add further stoppage time.
Argentina hold on in Atlanta after a stunning comeback to book a place in their second successive World Cup final.
Lionel Messi will have another chance to lift the trophy as Argentina set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey.
For England, it is heartbreak once again. The Three Lions fall short and will face France in the third-place play-off.
FULL-TIME. ENGLAND 1-2 ARGENTINA
Messi extends World Cup assist record with 12 as Argentina reach final
10 - Including two today, Lionel Messi now has 12 assists in FIFA World Cup matches, 10 of which have come in knockout rounds. No other player on record (from 1966) has more than eight in total at the finals.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026
Difference. pic.twitter.com/QLgizF2pfN
England's semi-final struggles continue
England have lost a World Cup match after scoring the opening goal for the first time since their 2-1 defeat by Croatia in the 2018 semi-final on July 11.
The Three Lions managed just five shots in this match — their lowest tally in a single game at the 2026 World Cup.
After winning their first World Cup semi-final in 1966, England have now lost all three of their subsequent appearances at this stage — in 1990, 2018 and 2026.
World Cup final like never before
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be the first-ever title decider contested by the reigning UEFA European champions and the reigning CONMEBOL Copa América champions.
Two late punches, one more classic!
The storied rivalry between England and Argentina has produced some unforgettable World Cup encounters over the years, and this semi-final will be remembered as another classic in Argentina.
The South Americans stunned England with two late blows to complete a dramatic comeback and keep their hopes of winning back-to-back World Cups alive.
It may not have matched Diego Maradona's iconic display against England in 1986, but Argentina's late fightback delivered another defining World Cup moment.
No team has retained the trophy since Brazil in 1962, but Messi now has the chance to join Brazilian great Cafu as only the second player to appear in three World Cup finals.
Messi delivers when it matters most
The former Barcelona star struggled to make a major impact for much of the semi-final as England's defensive approach limited his influence.
But when Argentina needed him most, Messi delivered.
In the dying moments, the maestro produced a pinpoint cross for Lautaro Martínez to head home the winner — another decisive contribution on the biggest stage.
