Argentina breaks England’s heart with stunning World Cup comeback as Spain only obstacle left toward repeat

Lionel Messi will go out with a bang.

The Argentinian star spurred his side to a furious late second-half rally, assisting on both his team’s goals as they secured a 2-1 win over England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

First, he fed Enzo Fernandez for a goal to knot the score at on apiece at the 85′ mark, and then set up Lautaro Martinez’s game-winning header with a cross two minutes into injury time for a 2-1 score to keep La Seleccion’s shot at a repeat alive.

Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. REUTERS

Argentina will face Spain for the World Cup title.

For England, it marks the latest heartbreaking end for a squad that can’t seem to find its way back to the final since it won it all in 1966.

The Three Lions broke a goalless tie at the 55-minute mark on Anthony Gordon’s first score of the tournament, a leaping finish of a cross from Morgan Rogers, but it wasn’t enough to keep Argentina down.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) dribbling the ball with Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson (England) defending. Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock

England is left to face France in the third-place game, with a chance for its best finish since coming in fourth in 1990 and 2018.