Argentina vs England —World Cup: Live score and match stats

FT | FULL-TIME! ARGENTINA ARE IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!

The referee blows the final whistle and the blue-and-white half of Atlanta goes absolutely wild! Argentina have pulled off one of the greatest, most dramatic late comebacks in World Cup semi-final history.

For 85 minutes, England looked to have one foot in the final thanks to Anthony Gordon's opening strike. But defending champions Argentina never know when they are beaten. Enzo Fernández's long-range stunner in the 85th minute breathed life back into the Albiceleste, before Lautaro Martínez rose highest to seal a famous victory with a header in stoppage time.

England gave it everything in those final agonizing moments, launching waves of aerial attacks, but Scaloni's men defended with their lives.

Heartbreak for England. Pure, unadulterated ecstasy for Argentina. They are heading back to the World Cup Final!

England 1 - 2 Argentina
90+7' | DESPERATION! England Hurl Everything Forward

It is absolute "all hands on deck" for Thomas Tuchel's side! England are launching ball after ball into the penalty area with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford even looking tempted to join the attack.

But Argentina's defensive wall is holding firm. Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero are playing like warriors, heading away every single cross that comes their way. The clock is ticking down, and the Albiceleste are just two minutes away from the World Cup Final!

90+2' | GOOOAAALLL!!! Argentina Lead in Stoppage Time!

UNBELIEVABLE! TOTAL AND UTTER BEDLAM IN ATLANTA! ARGENTINA HAVE TURNED IT COMPLETELY AROUND!

With England still reeling from the equalizer, Argentina stepped on the accelerator. Lionel Messi picked up the ball on the wing, danced away from his marker, and whipped an absolutely pinpoint, trademark cross into the heart of the penalty area.

Super-sub Lautaro Martínez anticipated it perfectly, rising above the English defenders to plant a powerful, bullet header past Jordan Pickford!

From 1-0 down in the 85th minute to 2-1 up in stoppage time. Defending champions Argentina are on the absolute brink of the World Cup Final!

90' | NINE MINUTES OF ADDED TIME! England 1 - 1 Argentina

The fourth official has raised the board, and we are going to have a minimum of nine added minutes!

Nine massive, nerve-shredding minutes of stoppage time for either side to find a dramatic late winner, or we are heading to thirty minutes of extra time.

86' | GOOOAAALLL!!! Argentina Equalize!
OH MY WORD! WHAT A STUNNING DRAMA IN ATLANTA!
England 1 - 1 Argentina

Argentina’s relentless pressure has finally paid off, and it is a piece of absolute magic from Enzo Fernández. The midfielder had tested Pickford from range earlier, but this time, he was not to be denied. Picking up the ball with space to breathe, he unleashed an absolute rocket of a strike that flew past a diving Jordan Pickford and into the back of the net!

81' | SUB! Argentina Go All Out Attack!

Lionel Scaloni is throwing absolute caution to the wind! Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico has been withdrawn, and on comes star striker Lautaro Martínez.

77' | OFFSIDE! González Denied

Argentina's frustration grows. Nicolás González looked to have made a clever run to get in behind the England line, but the assistant referee's flag went up instantly. Offside called, giving the Three Lions a welcome chance to catch their breath and slow the tempo down.

72' | SUBS! Triple Change for Argentina

Lionel Scaloni is throwing absolutely everything at this. Argentina make a massive triple substitution in a bid to change the course of the match:

Giovanni Simeone off ➔ Rodrigo De Paul on

Nahuel Molina off ➔ Gonzalo Montiel on

Lisandro Martínez (on a yellow) off ➔ Nicolás Otamendi on

70' | DRINKS! Pickford's Heroics Highlight Hydration Break

The referee called for a brief hydration break, giving both sets of players a chance to take on drinks and receive tactical instructions for the final twenty minutes.

On the big screens, the replays focused entirely on Jordan Pickford's stunning intervention. While it might not have been quite Pelé and Gordon Banks in 1970, it was an incredibly fine—and potentially historic—save from the Everton goalkeeper to deny Nicolás González.

69' | WHAT A SAVE! Pickford Denies González

Argentina resumed their relentless siege of the England final third, creating their absolute best chance of the match. A brilliant cross floated in from the right flank found the substitute Nicolás González, who directed a deft, close-range header towards the bottom corner.

Just as the ball looked destined for the back of the net, Jordan Pickford reacted with lightning reflexes, diving low to his right to claw the ball off the line. An unbelievable stop to preserve the Three Lions' lead!

64' | SUB! Argentina Chase an Equalizer

Lionel Scaloni made his move to inject some attacking spark. Leandro Paredes made way for winger Nicolás González, as Argentina sacrificed a defensive midfielder in search of a crucial equalizer.

60' | PRESSURE! England Scramble to Clear

The Three Lions are firmly under the cosh now as Argentina seek an immediate response. A string of hesitant, nervous decisions in the England box caused a real panic at the back, but captain Harry Kane dropped deep to bail them out, putting his laces through the ball to clear the danger out of the area.

55' | GOOOAAALLL!!! Gordon Breaks the Deadlock!

ENGLAND HAVE BROKEN THE DEADLOCK! Out of absolutely nowhere, the Three Lions strike, and Atlanta has erupted!

A swift, incisive team move carved Argentina open, and Anthony Gordon found himself in the perfect position. The winger kept his composure beautifully to slot the ball past the goalkeeper and send the England fans into absolute delirium. England lead in this monumental semi-final!

51' | FOUL! Romero Halts Bellingham

Cristian Romero was penalised after a robust challenge on Jude Bellingham, who did brilliantly to shield the ball and win the free kick for England. The referee gave the Argentine defender a stern talking-to, but chose to keep his cards in his pocket this time.

46' | SECOND HALF! We're Back Under Way

The referee blew his whistle and the players kicked off to get the second half started. Forty-five more minutes—and potentially extra time—remain to see who will secure their ticket to the World Cup final. No changes at the break, and the battle resumes instantly.

HT' | HALF-TIME! Goalless in Atlanta

The referee blew the whistle to bring an intense, highly physical first half to a close. It was a opening forty-five minutes defined by tactical caution, fierce midfield battles, and a flurry of fouls that kept both Elliot Anderson and Lisandro Martínez walking a tightrope after picking up yellow cards. England enjoyed early spells of promise through Reece James, while Argentina grew into the ascendancy in the final ten minutes, but neither side could find the decisive breakthrough.

45' | EXTRA TIME! Three Minutes Added

The fourth official raised the board to indicate a minimum of three additional minutes at the end of the first half. Both teams will look to survive this final stretch or find a late, dramatic breakthrough before heading into the dressing rooms.

42' | yellow card! Martínez Goes Into the Book

The card count is levelled up. Lisandro Martínez was shown a yellow card after a heavy, mistimed challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to caution the Argentine defender. Both sides now have a key midfielder and defender walking a disciplinary tightrope.

40' | PRESSURE! Argentina On The Front Foot

For the first time in the match, Argentina truly began to find their rhythm and assert some dominance. They patiently worked the ball all across the edge of the England final third, probing for a gap in the defensive line as the Three Lions were forced to drop deep to withstand the pressure.

37' | BOOKED! Anderson Sees Yellow

The referee finally ran out of patience. Elliot Anderson was shown the first yellow card of the match after committing a cynical foul to halt an Argentine breakaway. The midfielder will have to be very careful for the remaining fifty-plus minutes of this high-stakes battle.

33' | FOUL! Guéhi Relieves Pressure

England defender Marc Guéhi won a crucial foul in his own half while absorbing intense pressure from the Argentine attack. The referee immediately blew his whistle to award England the free kick, giving the Three Lions a chance to rebuild from the back. The match remained goalless as the tempo slowed due to constant midfield battles and frequent fouls, with both sides playing highly cautious, disciplined football with a spot in the final on the line.

30' | FOUL! Gordon Halts Simeone

Anthony Gordon tracks back but gets a bit too eager, conceding a foul on Giovanni Simeone. The referee blows his whistle, giving Argentina a chance to reset from the free kick.

25' | BREAK! Hydration Interval

The referee calls a temporary halt to the action for a quick hydration break. Both sets of players head to the touchline to grab some fluids and regroup with their managers in the sweltering Atlanta heat.

20' | ALMOST! James Threatens

Again the passing is short and swift from England, this time carving an attack down the right wing. Reece James breaks into the right edge of the box and fizzes a dangerous, low ball across the face of the goal, but it is just too close to the keeper who lunges forward to make a clean claim.

16' | FOUL! Simeone Whistled Again

Argentina's Giovanni Simeone is penalised yet again. The forward gets caught on the wrong side of the ball and concedes another mistimed challenge, keeping England on the front foot.

13' | TENSIONS FLARE! Anderson Stands His Ground

Elliot Anderson is definitely up for the physical battle today. After being fouled yet again—this time by Leandro Paredes—Anderson holds onto Enzo Fernández, sparking a bit of a confrontation. The referee steps in to have a quick word to calm things down but keeps his cards in his pocket.

9' | FOUL! James Tangles With Tagliafico

The physical battle heats up on the flanks. Reece James is penalised for a heavy challenge on Nicolás Tagliafico, who wins the free kick for his side.

6' | FOUL! Simeone Stops Anderson

The referee's whistle blows again. Giovanni Simeone concedes the foul after a late challenge, giving Elliot Anderson the free kick in a promising position.

3' | FOUL! Fernandez Warned

Early physical tone being set here. Enzo Fernández is whistled after conceding a hard foul in the midfield to break up play.

1' | KICK-OFF! Under Way in Atlanta

The last spot in the World Cup final is officially up for grabs. Ninety minutes or maybe more of high-stakes drama will decide this one. With the tension in the stadium absolutely palpable... we are under way!

Atlanta epic: England and Argentina lock in lineups for historic semifinal

One of international football's most fiercely contested and legendary rivalries is set to ignite its latest chapter as England and Argentina face off at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia. With a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain on the line, both Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni have made brave, jaw-dropping alterations to their starting elevens, sending shockwaves through both fanbases just before kickoff.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has adjusted his tactical blueprint into a balanced 4-2-3-1, making three crucial changes to inject fresh energy into a team carrying some weary legs after their grueling extra-time victory against Norway. With Nico O'Reilly sidelined through injury, Djed Spence earns a massive start at left-back, while Reece James returns on the right side of the defense.

The biggest talking point in the English camp, however, is the surprise inclusion of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers on the right wing, who replaces Noni Madueke. Jordan Pickford starts in goal behind the reliable central pairing of John Stones and Marc Guéhi. In midfield, Elliot Anderson partners Declan Rice, who has fully recovered from an illness that threatened his availability. Up front, Jude Bellingham occupies the central playmaker role, flanked by Anthony Gordon and Rogers, while captain Harry Kane leads the attack.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has thrown a tactical curveball of his own, opting for a structured 4-4-2 setup with a monumental selection shock. In a move that heavily plays into the folklore of this historic rivalry, Giuliano Simeone—the 23-year-old son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone—earns his first start of the knockout stage, taking up a role on the right flank. To accommodate the young winger, midfield anchor Rodrigo De Paul drops to the bench. Emiliano Martínez guards the net, shielded by fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico, and center-backs Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez. The midfield engine room features Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández alongside Simeone. Up front, Julián Alvarez continues his partnership with the legendary captain Lionel Messi, as the defending champions look to return to the tournament showpiece.

England National Football Team

Starting Line-up
1 J. Pickford (GK), 24 R. James (D), 5 J. Stones (D), 6 M. Guéhi (D), 25 D. Spence (D), 4 D. Rice (M), 8 E. Anderson (M), 17 M. Rogers (M), 10 J. Bellingham (M), 18 A. Gordon (M), 9 H. Kane (A)

Substitutions
2 E. Konsa, 3 N. O'Reilly, 7 B. Saka, 11 M. Rashford, 12 T. Chalobah, 13 D. Henderson, 14 J. Henderson, 15 D. Burn, 16 K. Mainoo, 19 O. Watkins, 20 N. Madueke, 21 E. Eze, 22 I. Toney, 23 J. Trafford

Manager: Thomas Tuchel

Argentina National Football Team

Starting Line-up
23 E. Martínez (GK), 26 N. Molina (D), 13 C. Romero (D), 6 Lisandro Martínez (D), 3 N. Tagliafico (D), 17 G. Simeone (M), 5 L. Paredes (M), 20 A. Mac Allister (M), 24 E. Fernández (M), 10 L. Messi (A), 9 J. Alvarez (A)

Substitutions
1 J. Musso, 2 M. Senesi, 4 G. Montiel, 7 R. De Paul, 8 V. Barco, 11 G. Lo Celso, 12 G. Rulli, 14 E. Palacios, 15 N. González, 16 T. Almada, 18 N. Paz, 19 N. Otamendi, 21 J. López, 22 Lautaro Martínez, 25 F. Medina

Manager: Lionel Sebastián Scaloni