World Cup semifinal highlights: Argentina beats England 2-1, advances to final

Argentine political leaders celebrated the team’s victory over England to reach its second straight World Cup final.

“Come on, Argentina, my love! Thank you!” Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno posted on X.

Sen. Patricia Bullrich praised Lionel Messi and the team, saying, “Argentines are going crazy.”

President Javier Milei also celebrated the triumph, writing, “Come on, Argentina, damn it!”

England coach Thomas Tuchel said he subbed in several defensive players and went to a five-man backline in the second half because he didn’t think his team could slow Argentina without it.

“We decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open,” he said. “They won every header. They kept crossing and crossing. So we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be stronger in the air. Because straight after our goal, with no substitutions, we just conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances. So we tried to help.

“But of course the responsibility is on the coach. And … if it doesn’t go well, it’s easy to say that it was wrong.”

As Argentina players celebrated their victory over England on the field in front of their fans, singing and dancing, a few players held up a large banner that read, in Spanish, “The Falklands are Argentine.”

Argentina’s security minister had announced ahead of Wednesday’s match that according to FIFA’s Code of Conduct, fans wouldn’t be able to carry some of their flags and banners that incorporate images of the Falkland Islands.

Argentines claim the British protectorate as the Malvinas and consider the South Atlantic islands essential to their national identity, despite losing a war in 1982 against British forces over the territory.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said his team overcame a lot to reach the World Cup semifinals.

“We played against strong teams in the group, we played — lot of miles, lot of traveling, played at altitude, played with 10 men, played in the heat, overcame every obstacle,” Tuchel said.

“We were very, very close today. It’s not the moment now to analyze the full tournament. We just went out because we lost a crucial match.”

Hundreds of jubilant fans poured into the streets of Buenos Aires and headed toward the city’s Obelisk after Argentina beat England 2-1 to reach the World Cup final. Supporters waved Argentine flags, beat drums and chanted as fireworks burst across the city. Others climbed trees and light poles, holding flags and Argentina jerseys aloft as thousands celebrated the victory.

Lautaro Martínez, who scored the go-ahead goal for Argentina, said England got tired after an aggressive start.

“They pressed for 60 minutes and then just ran out of steam. They got their goal and then sat back. That gave us more composure to move the ball around and stretch the pitch,” Martínez said.

Coach Lionel Scaloni credited Argentina’s fans for urging his team to victory.

“We are unique,” he said. “These people (the fans) drove us to win this match today. The jersey demands it — giving everything until the very end, holding nothing back. They have shown once again that they feel it just as we do.”

England captain Harry Kane said his side desperately tried to hold on against Argentina’s attack in the closing minutes.

“We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is not enough. Just gutted, gutted. Because we’ve worked so hard to get here,” Kane told the BBC.

Victor Caldas was among the legion of Argentina fans who jumped out of their seats, hugging, clapping and banging the tables at New York City’s Rikers Island jail as the team took a 2-1 lead over England in stoppage time.

The 39-year-old has been incarcerated for four months. He has been rooting for Argentina since his home country of Ecuador was knocked out of the tournament.

Caldas said he appreciated being able to watch the game uninterrupted among fellow soccer fans because there’s always competition for other programs on the televisions in his housing unit.

“I give it all my best to get this little time and enjoy the moment,” he said. “This was supposed to be like kind of a reward for good behavior.”

Most inmates watched the game intently, with the only sound other than the play-by-play coming from the industrial-sized air conditioning units and large fans in the gymnasium space.

After their loss, England players migrated closer to their fans as they gave supporters some light applause, while still appearing to be in disbelief. Then they slowly walked back to the locker room but had to pass right in front of the Argentine crowd, which roundly jeered them off the field.

England wanted to protect its late 1-0 lead and coach Thomas Tuchel made lineup changes to build a wall in front of the goal.

Argentina and Lionel Messi kicked it down.

England swapped defender Reece James for Dan Burn and midfielder Declan Rice for defender Nico O’Reilly in the 82nd minute.

Three minutes later, Enzo Fernández struck from outside the penalty area for Argentina’s first goal. And late substitute Lautaro Martínez sealed the win with a close-range header when England defenders lost him on a cross from Messi.

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi pulled in England captain Harry Kane and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for handshakes and hugs on the pitch after Argentina’s 2-1 victory.

Argentina players — many with their shirts off — jumped and sang in front of their fans after their win over England in the World Cup semifinals.

England players stood in shock in the middle of the field. A sizable chunk of their fans left immediately when the match ended.

Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored late as Argentina rallied past England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinals. La Albiceleste have a chance to win their second consecutive title when they face Spain on Sunday.

England led 1-0 on Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute but couldn’t withstand Argentina’s furious late attack in a match marked by physical play throughout.

Fernandez tied it in the 85th minute and Martinez scored in the 92nd.

Lionel Messi assisted on both goals and was the heart of Argentina’s attack at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

England tried several late defensive substitutions to defend its lead but Messi and Argentina came in waves at the goal for the rally.

England was seeking to reach its first World Cup final since 1966, when the Three Lions won their only title.

Lionel Messi and Argentina have advanced to the World Cup final with a 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta. Argentina will meet Spain on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as it seeks its second straight World Cup title.

Lionel Messi delivered another perfect pass that may have put a late dagger in England. Messi gathered the ball on the right side, took a couple of touches, then delivered a perfect cross across the goal for Lautaro Martínez’s close-range header in stoppage time. Martínez had subbed into the game just a few minutes earlier.

Lionel Messi assisted on both of Argentina’s late goals, his third and fourth assists of the World Cup. That puts him ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for Golden Boot.

The award goes to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi and Mbappé each have eight goals, with assists as the first tiebreaker.

Lautaro Martínez scores in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to give Argentina the lead.

Lionel Messi took the ball wide on the right side after a quick corner kick. He worked his way toward the penalty box before passing to Enzo Fernández, who unleashed a powerful shot with his right foot that beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as it bent toward the upper right corner.

Shortly before the tying goal by Argentina’s Enzo Fernández, Argentina made its last substitution as forward Lautaro Martínez came on for defender Nicolás Tagliafico in the 81st minute. England also made changes, swapping defender Reece James for Dan Burn, and Declan Rice for Nico O’Reilly.

Argentina’s Enzo Fernández scores in the 85th minute.

England has subbed out goal scorer Anthony Gordon for Ezri Konsa.

Argentina has subbed Gonzalo Montiel for Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi for Lisandro Martínez, and Rodrigo De Paul for Giuliano Simeone.

England seized control with Anthony Gordon’s goal but Argentina is pressing hard to match it.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a diving save to his right to deny Argentina’s Nico Gonzalez on a header just before the hydration break.

The crowd at a watch party at New York City’s Rikers Island jail erupted in a mix of groans and cheers as England struck first with a goal early in the second half.

Ralph Veal was among the minority of England fans who raised his arms in celebration as Argentinian supporters grimaced and looked away dejectedly.

The 53-year-old has been incarcerated since November. He said he’s rooting for England because it’s his 20-year-old son’s favorite team.

“The vibe is real good, you know. I’m sitting at the table with Argentina fans, but it’s all right,” Veal said shortly before the England goal. “We have a good, a good time, you know, it feels real great, real great. The energy is real positive in here.”

Argentina sent Leandro Paredes to the bench in the 64th minute. He was replaced by Nico González as Argentina chases a goal after falling behind 1-0.

Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute came on a cross from Morgan Rogers across the mouth of the goal. Gordon got his right foot on the ball and knocked it past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his first career World Cup goal. The play started with a quick flick to the wing from Declan Rice.

Anthony Gordon scores in the 55th minute.

Cristian Romero was shown a yellow card for wrapping up England’s Jude Bellingham to stop a potential breakaway in the 51st minute.

That means Argentina now has two defenders, Romero and Lisandro Martinez, playing with a yellow card. Another one for either player means an automatic ejection.

Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, posted on X ahead of England’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina: “Let’s do it all again just like 1982.”

That’s a reference to Britain’s victory over Argentina in the Falklands War. The conflict remains a source of tension between the countries and their fans.

The first half was scoreless but not without some rough action. The teams combined for 19 fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on goal.

The Atlanta-raised hip-hop star treated fans to a DJ set during halftime, starting with his song “Welcome to Atlanta.” From there, fans heard other classics, including Usher’s “Yeah!,” and T.I.'s “Bring Em Out.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrived shortly before kickoff to a World Cup watch party at the city’s Rikers Island jail.

His dark suit jacket was off and his white dress shirt sleeves were rolled up.

Mamdani took a seat at a table and immediately started chatting about the tournament.

One of the inmates told others at the table that he expected Argentina to prevail over England and go onto face Spain, which beat France on Tuesday.

“You never know,” said Mamdani, a professed Morocco fan.

Another inmate said he was going home later today. “That’s amazing,” the mayor said.

At about the 20-minute mark of the game, Mamdani headed out.

There has been little action near the goal but the bodies have been flying in a rugged England-Argentina semifinal fueled by a tense historic rivalry.

The teams have combined for 19 fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on goal. Referee Ismail Elfath held up play briefly after just a few minutes in an effort to calm things down.

It didn’t seem to help much as physical play continued from both sides.

Argentina star striker Lionel Messi has struggled to create goal chances. It’s been the same for England and striker Harry Kane.

The teams will have to decide whether the players who received yellow cards should sit for the second half or risk another yellow and an automatic ejection. They are England’s Elliot Anderson and Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez.

This one goes to Argentina, earned by Lisandro Martínez in the 42nd minute for holding up a potential England counterattack.

This rough match now has more yellow cards (two) than shots on goal (zero).

The first yellow card of a rugged match has been issued to England’s Elliot Anderson for a hard tackle on Lionel Messi in the 38th minute.

The play stopped a dangerous Argentina attack. The teams had been whistled for 16 fouls at that point.

Lines inside stadiums to buy World Cup merchandise have been outrageous throughout the tournament.

Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Argentina was no exception, with hundreds in line before the match started. Scarves are a particularly hot commodity.

Curious to see what the lines were like while the match was ongoing, an Associated Press reporter visited a FIFA store around the 20th minute and found more than a dozen people in line to buy items including $45 scarves and $48 T-shirts.

Referee Ismail Elfath has perhaps been working the hardest trying to keep control of a physical and emotional match.

Neither team has created much in the way of goal chances, but players have been hitting the ground after hard fouls and hard play. Those include stars Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham.

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England’s Jude Bellingham (10) shoots on goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Argentina’s Giuliano Simeone (17) fouls England’s Elliot Anderson (8) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

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Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) is fouled by England’s Elliot Anderson (8) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

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England and Argentina wasted no time raising the temperature of their semifinal with tough, physical play.

Several players had to be separated after a hard foul by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez on England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The fouls kept coming and referee Ismail Elfath had to stop play briefly in an effort to calm things down.

Regardless of the opponent, Argentina fans often enjoy chanting “Whoever doesn’t jump is English.” So, for obvious reasons, they’ve been singing it a lot as a dig at England fans.

The full chant is “Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve, el que no salta es un inglés” – meaning: “And you can see it, and you can see it: whoever doesn’t jump is English.”

The melody comes from a catchy 1970s tune by the Argentine duo Juan & Juan.