England 1-2 Argentina
Argentina will meet Spain in the World Cup 2026 final on Sunday thanks to another spectacular fightback to beat a brave England side 2-1.
Last time out the 2022 World Cup Champions were on the rack against Egypt but came back to win 3-2, and they were five minutes plus injury time away from going out against the Three Lions. After a cagey and sometimes overly aggressive first half, the second 45 exploded into life and Anthony Gordon gave England a lead early in the second period, only for Enzo Fernendez and Lautaro Martinez to break the Three Lions’ hearts.
Argentina versus Spain in the final though…that is a match to savour!
Highlights of the game
We were all in need of a break after 22 minutes for the hydration and adverts; not because there was much goal mouth action but the pace had been fast and furious; and the pitch often resembled a war-zone more than a sporting arena with eight fouls committed in the first 15 minutes and not one shot before the players had a drink.
In terms of the football played, England made progress with runs from Gordon and Djed Spence while Argentina’s passing was slicker. My SBOTOP colleague Jordan picked out Bellingham in his choice of the three best players at the World Cup and a tricky run from the Real Madrid man won a free-kick which almost brought the opener. Declan Rice crossed and John Stones headed just wide and that prompted a good period for the Three Lions who came close again through Rice. The Albiceleste began to look dangerous too, Enzo Fernandez firing a rocket over from 30 yards.
But on the whole, it was a horrible first half of football, a physical affair and not one for the faint hearted.
The second half was much, much better. Argentina flew out of the blocks and Julian Alvarez stung the palms of Jordan Pickford with a fierce angled drive. And then came a moment of World Cup 2026 highlights that lifted the England fans off their feet. Morgan Rogers sent in a wicked cross which
Gordon converted at the far post and the Three Lions began to dream.
Argentina tried to hit straight back, and it took a miraculous tackle from Spence which kept out Giuliano Simeonoe, when he was clean through on goal. And then Pickford made a world class save from Nicolas Gonzalez in the last action before hydration break number two. More of the same after the break saw Pickford make another point blank to deny Alexis MacAllister.
England were hanging on.
Ten minutes to go and Lionel Scaloni threw on Lautaro Martinez to bolster his attack as England tried to slow the game down. Thomas Tuchel responded by bringing on towering defender Dan Burn.
Pickford was in action again to tip over a rasping drive from Fernandez but, from the resulting corner the same man powered a 25 yarder home and now the Argentina fans exploded. That was in 85 minutes and then the Albiceleste went for the kill. Two minutes into injury time, MacAllister hit the post and when the ball was recycled by Messi supersub Martinez rose highest to power his header home.
Key statistics
In the first meeting between these two nations in over 20 years there was tension and angst evident throughout the first half. Messi, Kane and Bellingham were all in the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals for the Argentine Maestro and six each for the English duo. But none of the three took a crack in the first half with the shot count at two to one in Argentina’s favour and La Albiceleste were ahead on fouls too, at 12 to seven!
The second half was far, far better and Argentina were the worthy winners, with 15 shots to five and five to two on target.
What’s next?
Spain gave France a real education on Tuesday night, snuffing out any French threat and striking with ruthlessness when their chances came. Lamine Yamal won a penalty which was converted midway through the first half and the Spain midfield controlled the centre of the park, picking the ball of their opponents with some ease. Even with joint-top scorer Kylian Mbappe and top assist-maker Michael Olise the French attack was toothless and Pedro Porro showed them how to do it with Spain’s second goal. Before a ball was kicked in the USA the World Cup 2026 betting odds backed La Roja to add the world title but they will have a real battle on their hands to keep the Albiceleste down.
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