Another Late Argentina Comeback for Back-to-Back Finals: England vs Argentina World Cup Semi-Final Recap

An iconic international rivalry rekindles in Atlanta. In the second game of the Semi-Finals, England and Argentina go up against each other to join Spain in the World Cup Final.

(Image credit to tagesschau.de)

The Three Lions and La Albiceleste are rivals of old that hold some of the iconic moments of the sport. Maradona’s “Goal of the Century” and “Hand of God” in 1986, the penalty shootout that ended with Argentina’s victory in 1998, which most people remember with Beckham’s red card against Simeone, are some of the most memorable moments of the match-up. Their last World Cup duel took place 24 years ago, which ended 1-0 in England’s favour and paved the way for Argentina’s disappointing early exit in group stage.

However, a lot changed since the last face-off of these two football giants. Under Lionel Scaloni’s management and Lionel Messi’s leadership, Argentina became the reigning champions of the World, added 2 Copa America and 1 Finalissima trophies to their tally as well. Captain Messi is arguably one of the tournament’s best players this season, contributing with 8 goals and 2 assists to his name, despite being 39 years old. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are also the players who can shake things up, but all eyes will be on Messi for more magic. Although La Albiceleste possess decent shot power, considering they’re the top scoring nation in this tournament so far, their defence struggles to keep a clean sheet.

Meanwhile, despite being the land that gave birth to football, England are on a 60 year silverware drought and determined to put an end to it. The Three Lions came so close to becoming European champions in 2020 and 2024, but were denied by Italy and Spain in the finals. And their World Cup runs couldn’t make any further than Semi-Finals since the glory in 1966. Thomas Tuchel was criticised a lot for the squad he called up to the tournament, but still managed to bring Three Lions into Semi-Finals in his first major international tournament. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are the key figures of the England squad with 6 goals for each, but there’s certainly room for improvement in defensive areas.

Despite topping their respective groups, both teams came from a rocky knockout path through the Semi-Finals. The reigning World champions barely escaped Cabo Verde with 3-2 in extra time, then pulled off a miracle comeback against Egypt with the same scoreline and also brushed Switzerland aside in extra time with 3 goals. Meanwhile, England had to come back late against DR Congo with a Harry Kane brace and Jude Bellingham took the spotlight in survival against co-hosts Mexico in Azteca and dark horses Norway in extra time. 

Coming into this round, while Argentina isn’t missing any players, Three Lions will be without suspended Quansah and injured Henderson. Despite receiving good news from Declan Rice recovering from illness, there’s still a right-back dilemma to be solved between Spence and Konsa. In addition to those issues, much like in the Quarter-Finals against Norway, Jude Bellingham must be careful to avoid yellow cards, if he doesn’t want to get suspended for a possible final against Spain.

So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the starting elevens of the second and last Semi-Final game of the World Cup.

England XI: Pickford - James - Stones - Guéhi - Spence - Rice - Anderson - Rogers - Bellingham - Gordon - Kane

Argentina XI: E. Martínez - Molina - Romero - Li. Martínez - Tagliafico - Simeone - Paredes - Mac Allister - Fernández - Messi - Álvarez

(Image credit to The Sun)

First Half

Much like the previous Semi-Final game between Spain and France, both teams start cautiously, but tense as well. The first real threat comes from England with John Stones, when he attempts to put Rice’s cross into the net with a header, but finds the side netting instead. Argentina answers 5 minutes later with a long-distance shot by Enzo Fernández that barely goes over the bar. Apart from these two close calls and some tense face-offs, nothing really happens in the first half and teams leave the pitch with a goalless draw after 45 minutes. Not a single shot registered on target really sums up the snooze fest of a half. 

(Image credit to The Independent)

Second Half

In the second half, the game really takes up a notch, as if the first half never happened. La Albiceleste begin with two consecutive shots on target from Julian Álvarez, but Pickford successfully denies him on both close range attempts. The dreadlock breaks in the 55th minute, when Lisandro Martinez’s interception gives the ball to Rice, who passes the ball directly to Morgen Rogers. Aston Villa attacker crosses in to a sneaky Anthony Gordon, who clears his mark to put the ball into Argentina’s net with a tap-in. Argentina tries to respond with a quick transition to Simeone, who finds a large space to dribble into the Lions’ box, however Djed Spence is rapid in slide tackle interception to prevent the Atleti winger from scoring. La Albiceleste increased the pressure for an equaliser and missed another great opportunity in the 70th minute. Nico Gonzalez headers to Messi’s cross in hopes of equalising, but once again Pickford’s gloves gets in the way of the Argentines. Two minutes later, the game reaches a turning point, when Thomas Tuchel subs Ezri Konsa in for Anthony Gordon and follows up with bringing in more defenders later on to stay behind the ball. This approach by the German manager to keep the lead, changes the entire landscape of the game by giving the momentum and the ball to Argentina, who risk to find a goal by subbing in more offensive players. 

First, Alexis Mac Allister hits the post with a header and follows up with another one that lands into Pickford’s hands. With Messi in the conductor role, he crosses the ball once again to Gonzalez, whose header goes just wide of the post, and so the Three Lions endure La Albiceleste’s first wave of attacks. However, the next wave comes with consequences. Jordan Pickford saves Fernandez’s second long-range attempt as well, but the Argentine pulls off a worldie on his third try in the 85th minute to finally equalise. Just when everyone prepares themselves to witness another Argentina game going into extra time, La Albiceleste late drama strikes again. In the 90+2nd minute, Mac Allister’s shot hits the post once again, but Messi follows up the rebound and crosses in, although two English players marking him. Lautaro Martinez doesn’t turn back Messi’s great serve and uses the space that’s given to him to put Argentina in front with a header. After another 10 minutes of added time, the referee blows the whistle and La Albiceleste beats Three Lions 2-1 in the Semi-Final.

(Image credit to kicker.de)

    With this victory, Argentina made it into consecutive World Cup Finals and got to defend their title against Spain in New York. Lionel Messi is given the Superior Player of the Match Award for providing both assists for La Albiceleste. Enzo Fernandez also pulled off a decent performance in midfield and his amazing strike was the cherry on top of his game. After conceding the first goal, Argentina showed a strong mentality to search for the equaliser and by regaining the ball possession, Messi’s men found the opportunities to make another miracle happen.

On the other hand, the approach after the first goal became the Three Lions’ downfall. Instead of keeping the positive approach and maybe pressurising Argentina for a second goal, Thomas Tuchel decided to bring more defenders in to stay at the back and defend the scoreline. This isn’t an approach that didn’t work out for some teams in the tournament, but against a team that has such eyes for goal, one mistake, one opening could be fatal and that was exactly the case for England in this game. Even with 6 defenders at the back Argentina could still find empty spaces left for their taking. Three Lions seemed to finally break their Semi-Final curse, but the false tactical approach sees them packing to the Third Place Play-Off game and to home possibly with a bronze medal.

(Image credit to 11freunde.de)

In summary, the Semi-Final between England and Argentina ends in another late thriller in favour of Argentina. This result also determines the last two games of the tournament. On Saturday, July 18th, England will go up against France in the Third-Place Play-Off match and on the next day, Argentina and Spain will face each other to claim football’s greatest prize. We’ll see who comes out on top and who falls in the grandest stage of them all.

Article written by Emre Albas © Emre Albas 2026