Argentina reach back-to-back World Cup finals
by Kickoff Reporter · KickOffDefending champions Argentina will meet Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The fierce rivalry between the Three Lions and Albiceleste was renewed at the finals which was the first since the 2002 edition meeting in the group stages, as the Lions edged Norway after extra-time in the quarter-finals with the holders going the same route to Switzerland.
Morgan Rogers, Djed Spence and Reece James were recalled to the Three Lions' side following the win over Norway.
It was a tense start with challengers from either team flying before the English closed in to the opener around the half-hour mark when a free-kick from Reece James stung the gloves of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forced the defence to clear their lines.
The Albiceleste responded a little later after a long-range strike by Enzo Fernandez came off the side-netting following a loose ball off a foul on captain Lionel Messi and give the three Lions a huge sigh of relief.
Second Half:
England took control though ten minutes after the break as Anthony Gordon beat Nahuel Molina to a cross from Morgan Rogers following a late run in the box and tucked in the near corner of the net.
With their backs against the wall, the reigning champions as expected went on the front-foot in search of the equaliser but a remarkable point-blank save by Jordan Pickford denied Nico Gonzalez the equaliser following a delightful cross by Messi.
That forced the South American giants to increase the tempo just after the hydration break as coach Lionel Scaloni made a trio of changes in Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi and Rodrigo de Paul.
Thomas Tuchel’s charges found the going increasingly tough and were given a reprieve when a diving header in the area by Alexis Mac Allister hit the post from an inch-perfect delivery by de Paul.
The extensive pressure came to good effect for the holders five minutes to the final whistle when Fernandez took a square pass from Messi in his stride after a short-corner and fired beyond the outstretched Pickford.
England remained flat-footed and capitulated again two minutes into stoppage time after Lautaro Martinez headed in at the back-post following a cross from Messi, as the South American giants will now face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey.