Argentines celebrating their World Cup 2026 final qualifications


Argentina will have the opportunity to defend their FIFA World Cup crown after coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 in an enthralling semi-final on Wednesday, sealing a place in Sunday's final.

England appeared to be on course for a memorable victory when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock early in the second half. However, the South Americans responded in impressive fashion, restoring parity before scoring a decisive late winner to complete a dramatic comeback.

The result underlines Argentina's remarkable resilience throughout the tournament. Spearheaded by Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni's men maintained their composure under pressure, gradually taking control of the contest before producing the goal that secured their place in another World Cup final.

England's campaign, meanwhile, ended in disappointment despite an encouraging run under manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions had shown determination in previous knockout matches but were unable to withstand Argentina's sustained attacking pressure in the closing stages.

Argentina will now meet Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after the Europeans secured a 2-0 victory over France in the other semi-final. The title decider is expected to be one of the tournament's standout fixtures, with Argentina aiming to retain the trophy and Spain seeking to reclaim football's biggest prize.

The victory leaves Argentina just one win away from back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles, while England will shift their attention to the third-place playoff after falling short in the last four.