Argentina stun England late, reach World Cup final vs Spain
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- Argentina overturned a second-half deficit with two goals in the final five minutes — Enzo Fernández's 85th-minute equalizer from 20 yards and Martínez's stoppage-time header off Messi's far-post cross — to win 2-1 in Atlanta and book a date in the final.
- England took a second-half lead through Anthony Gordon and appeared headed for their first final since 1966, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford producing two crucial saves — denying Nico González in the 69th minute and Alexis Mac Allister seven minutes later.
- Lionel Messi has now recorded a goal or assist in 11 straight World Cup games dating back to 2022, the longest such streak in at least 60 years.
- England's wait for a second World Cup final appearance stretches on, more than five decades after their 1966 title.
- The final pairs Argentina against Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday — the first World Cup final between the reigning European and South American champions, and the first final between the world's top two FIFA-ranked teams since rankings were introduced in 1992.
Why it matters: Argentina broke open a semifinal they appeared to be losing with goals in the 85th and 90th+2 minutes, extending Messi's 60-year-record goal-or-assist streak and ending England's bid for a first final since 1966. The Argentina-Spain final is both the first between the reigning champions of Europe and South America and the first ever contested by the FIFA top two.
