World Cup Daily: Argentina digs deep again to reach final

Tight. Cagey. Feisty. Entertaining? Depends on who you ask.

Following a first half that featured 19 fouls but zero shots on target, it’s little surprise the supercomputers and analytical models had Argentina versus England pegged for extra time and penalties.

Ten minutes into the second half, Anthony Gordon caught Nahuel Molina sleeping at the back post, and everything changed. Down 1-0, the world champions were on the ropes, having offered almost nothing in the attacking sense to that point.

Argentina megastar Lionel Messi and his band of loyal devotees began launching waves of attacks. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and his post, fought valiantly, but Enzo Fernandez would not be denied. Argentina kept coming and two minutes into added time, Lautaro Martínez would find their winner.

And so the champions will face Spain in the final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium. Meanwhile, England heads to Miami for a third-place clash with France.

Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s semifinal.

In the aftermath, this is a fair question: Did you really doubt Argentina?

The match’s opening goal in the 55th minute via Gordon was well worked, but England’s response to their lead was befuddling. Sitting back and allowing Messi and company to dictate play for 30-plus minutes was questionable, and we’ll get to England boss Thomas Tuchel’s disasterclass in a bit.

There was little reason to doubt the Argentinians because they had seized the moment in this tournament before, against Egypt and Switzerland when they were down and seemingly out. Nine of the last 11 goals were scored in the 79th minute or later.

England’s press, effective for 60 minutes, fell off as its opponents found another gear and adapted. Argentina’s decision to send cross after cross into the penalty area, bypassing England’s low block, was brilliant. Its efforts were rewarded by Fernandez’s unstoppable strike to equalize via a short corner. Martinez would etch his name into Argentinian lore soon after.

Messi was involved in all of it, providing the assist on both goals. England let the 39-year-old play the game on his terms in the most important moments. Affording arguably the greatest player of all time that much time and space is a mistake Spain will not make in the final.

Not since 1966 had England won the Men’s World Cup, but this was a legitimate chance at ending the drought. England notched a signature win over Mexico at the Azteca and showed resolve to come back against Norway in the quarterfinals. Its lead in the second half today was well earned, with Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Declan Rice acting in unison to create separation. 

From there the questions began. Taking off Gordon for defender Ezra Konsa and moving to a back five after the last hydration break served as a defining moment. England’s manager had declared one goal ‘enough’ and moved into siege mode. Argentina’s barrage continued before Tuchel introduced two more defenders, Nico O’Reilly and Dan Burn, for the game’s final 10 minutes.

By that point, England’s low block was comically deep and exploitable. Then Argentina’s goals came. Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney were introduced late but had little effect. Tuchel had already made his bed.

Left on the bench at the final whistle was Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. Could he have helped England get a second goal? Would Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo have settled the midfield down following Rice’s departure?

These are reasonable questions and ones Tuchel will be deluged with in the coming days. Another one: Will he stick around as the Three Lions boss for Euro 2028?

“You can discuss this with a million coaches (but) I have to make a decision on the pitch. I analyzed the match and I did it a certain way so that’s my responsibility. In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close. We deserved to be up 1-0. We played one of our better matches, maybe our best match in the circumstances. The team was top, we couldn’t get over the line but no regrets.”

– Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media following more heartbreak for England at a major tournament.

Kudos to the folks over at Opta for their photo choice to accompany this telling stat.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

What is there left to say? Via Who Scored, Messi has completed more dribbles (24), created more chances (25) and created more big chances (8) than any other player at the 2026 World Cup. He’s either scored or assisted in every Argentina game at this tournament. He is inevitable.

2. Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

The Chelsea star set the tone early, leaving in a friendly elbow on a challenge with Elliot Anderson. That he can play the game with so much jam and still produce moments of brilliance like his wonder strike equalizer makes him a unicorn of a player.

3. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)

Making your mark on a team littered with stars and your country’s ultimate hero is no easy task, but Martinez found a way minutes after entering the match as a substitute. Inter Milan fans will have recognized that opportunistic, goal-finding foray in the game’s dying moments.