Argentina Edge England 2-1 in a Semi-Final Classic
Argentina survived an England surge and sealed a 2-1 semi-final win to reach another World Cup final.
Miami knew the script before kick-off: two football cultures with unfinished World Cup business, and ninety minutes to decide a finalist. England started with intensity, Bellingham driving transitions and Kane occupying Argentina's centre-backs.
Argentina absorbed the storm, then struck twice in a ruthless ten-minute spell either side of half-time. England refused to fold. A late goal set up a frantic finale, with corners raining in and Hard Rock Stadium roaring for an equaliser.
When the whistle went at 2-1, Argentina had earned the right to chase back-to-back titles. England's long run ends in the last four, with bronze still available in the third-place match.
The stakes
Winner to the final at MetLife Stadium. Loser faces France for third place.
The rivalry angle
One of football's most loaded fixtures: 1986 ghosts, 1998 red cards, 2002 penalties, and a 2026 semi-final chapter.
Players who could decide it
The focal point of Argentina's finishing when the game opened up.
England's engine room and the man most likely to force chaos in the box.
Did you know?
- !This was the first England-Argentina World Cup semi-final meeting.
- !Argentina are aiming to become the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
- !Hard Rock Stadium hosted a full-capacity night for the last four.
Head to head
World Cup meetings between England and Argentina are rarely quiet. History hangs over every challenge and every set piece.
