Argentina Edge England 2-1 in a Semi-Final Classic
Argentina staged a late comeback to beat England 2-1 and book a return to the World Cup final.
The semi-final carried every layer of history the rivalry always brings. England led and looked set to manage the night, until Argentina's champion instinct flipped the script in the closing stages.
Two late goals completed the comeback. England still threatened in the final minutes, but Argentina's game management and quality in the box proved decisive once more.
At 2-1 the holders were finalists again. England drop into the third-place play-off after a campaign that reached the last four.
The stakes
A place in the 2026 World Cup final. The loser plays for bronze.
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.
