England 1-2 Argentina: Gordon 55; Fernandez 85, Lautaro Martinez 90+2
Not simply the exit at this stage but the manner of it will be utterly crushing for England. Here was a team so close, at the cusp, having faced down the relentless enemy for half an hour, only to be undone within five minutes right at the end.
For Argentina, of course they did it again. This is a team with a high-wire act, life on the edge, every chip into the pot. Argentina are there for the taking. But watch out: they can take you instead. They can blow a two-goal lead. They can also overturn one as Egypt found out much to their peril. But there was no two-goal lead to be had here because from the moment they scored England retreated into their shell. Or, to give them some credit, they were forced into it.
Anthony Gordon had put his side ahead early in the second half, and until the levee finally broke at the end, Argentina responded with interminable pressure. Jordan Pickford was superb here to keep his side ahead and so was Djed Spence. They all were. They had to be.
But it was not enough and with the England penalty area under siege, Argentina worked a short corner two minutes to the end of normal time, before Lionel Messi found Enzo Fernandez outside the penalty area and the midfielder fired beautifully beyond Pickford.
England barely had time to recover before Albiceleste completed the turnaround. All the momentum was on their side and after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort rebounded and was cleared by Spence, Messi collected possession on the right. Unpressured there on the flank, England desperate to maintain their shape and defend their penalty area, Messi drove in, cut towards the byline and delivered another precise cross. Lautaro Martinez rose to head home and spark delirium among those of the Argentina persuasion.
One more, Leo. pic.twitter.com/TIVhAdfxv1
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 15, 2026
What an end to a game of football it was. When the dust settles, and all the rage and pain and heartache is gone, perhaps England can take consolation in the knowledge that this was the closest they have got to a first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
This was, in some sense, a justification of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment. This was the closest he could take the Three Lions without actually winning the trophy. Victorious, Argentina will now defend their World Cup crown against Spain.
But what a start to the game this also was. Challenges flew left, right and centre throughout an attritional opening period. England began confidently enough, with Spence repeatedly driving forward from left-back, Argentina having sought to cage Jude Bellingham and control the midfield through Fernandez and Mac Allister.
Neither side created much despite the pace and the fiery hearts before the break. John Stones headed wide from a Declan Rice freekick for England and Fernandez fired over from distance at the other end, as the teams went into half-time deadlocked.
In the second half, things were taken up a notch. Argentina threatened first when Julian Alvarez forced Jordan Pickford into a save, but then England found the breakthrough moments later. Harry Kane hit a forward pass to Morgan Rogers on the right and it was blocked by Argentina, but Declan Rice was following it up and sent the ball back to Rogers. He delivered a cross into the six-yard box and Gordon escaped Nahuel Molina to finish and hand England a 55th-minute lead.
We are completely heartbroken that our dream ends here, but so proud of this group, our staff and you – our amazing fans.
Your support in North America and back home has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/06KEKKUaLh
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
In response, Argentina found an extra attacking gear to click into. The excellent Spence continued to impress at both ends of the pitch for England, producing a crucial recovery tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone after Lionel Messi had plotted his way through a tight midfield and set up a dangerous counterattack. Pickford was on hand to preserve England’s advantage with a magnificent stop to deny Nico Gonzalez, after Messi’s perfectly weighted cross.
England had their backs against the wall now, under incredible pressure. Tuchel responded by introducing Ezri Konsa and switching to a back five but it did little as Mac Allister hit the post before Pickford was again called into action to rescue his team. He could do nothing about Fernandez’s strike though, and shortly after, Martinez twisted the screw.
