England 1 vs 2 Argentina live online: goals, stats, score, and highlights | 2026 World Cup semifinal

World Cup 2026

Messi wants another World Cup

Here is the match report written up by our Jose Felix Diaz. Enjoy. 

It's Lionel Messi versus Lamine Yamal. Spain vs. Argentina. Plenty of story lines. Plenty of drama. Plenty of excitement for the World Cup final on Sunday from New York/New Jersey. 

This is the scene in Buenos Aires after the semifinal win. The job is not done, but these moments are made to be celebrated. Sunday will be a different story, but the fans will be filling the streets hoping for a second straight World Cup. 

Thomas Tuchel is going to come under some heavy criticism for the way he handled the second half after his team went up a goal. This is what he has to say after the game. 

Incredible. 

Argentina are on to the final of the World Cup for the second time in four years. They have a chance to join an exclusive list of back to back winners, and send Lionel Messi off in perfect fashion. What a final we have coming up on Sunday. 

Buenos Aires is going wild. This are the scenes after the Enzo goal. Imagine what it's like right now after another dramatic finish for the Albiceleste. 

Argentina are on to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament. They came under criticism, they were doubted, there were complaints about the strength of their opponents coming into the match. But the come back on England and beat a top team in world soccer. 

Enzo Martinez had a chance to put the opener on the board from outside the box in the first half. He would get another chance in the second half, and would bury it past Pickford. It was a stunner to pull level with England, and after that it seemed like only a matter of time before Argentina would take the advantage over England. 

After the goal by Gordon, England looked like they were playing not to lose instead of playing to win. They made some awfully defensive substitutions and locked back in their own defensive third just waiting for the final whistle. There will be some questions about the decisions of Thomas Tuchel in the minutes, hours and days after this heartbreaking loss. 

Alexis Mac Allister was this close to equalizing after Rodrigo de Paul came into the match and made an immediate impact with this ball into the box. It smacked off the post, but Argentina would keep pounding the goal of England and Pickford. 

Argentina went right back on the offensive after the goal, and they could have equalized moments after the Gordon goal but Djed Spencer came up with a brilliant sliding challenge to force a corner kick. 

England took the lead and all of the sudden we started to think, is it coming home? Kane started the action and Morgan Rodgers put a delicious ball across the face of goal. Anthony Gordon slipped in front of Nahuel Molina and tucked it past Dibu Martinez for the first goal of the game. 

Argentina came out of the halftime break locked and loaded. It was a sign of what was to come as Julian Alvarez got in behind the defense and had two shots of Jordan Pickford. Argentina was just getting started, even though they would go down a goal just minutes after this chance. 

Both teams and both captains were unhappy with the first half. Messi had his words with the ref, as did Harry Kane. The first half was ugly. The second half was tight, tense and non stop. England took the lead early out of the break, but would then tuck back and let Argentina build attack after attack. 

Enzo Fernandez was close to putting the first goal on the scoreboard after this shot from distance whizzed over the crossbar. It was the only real chance of the first half, but it was a half chance at most. 

There was really nothing to talk about in the first half. Neither team did much to create chances. They were much interested in jabbing at each other than they were playing to take the lead. 

Enzo Martinez would make his mark on this match, but first he made his mark on Elliot Anderson who took a forearm to the head. No card was shown despite the England protests. It was a tough match to ref, but the ref Ismail Elfath did a fantastic job. 

They hadn't played a top 20 teams. They are led by a 39 year old. They got here after not convincing in the knockout stages. It didn't matter. Argentina are going back to the World Cup final after another miraculous come back in the final minutes of the semifinal against England. 

As we imagined these two teams, who don't particularly like each other, came out of the gates with the gloves off. The first half hour or so was marked by chippy play and constant fouls. It was to be expected from Argentina who looked to get England out of their game and in their own heads from the start. 

ANOTHER STOPPAGE TIME WINNER FROM ARGENTINA!!! MESSI TO LAUTARO TO TAKE THE LEAD AND BRING ARGENTINA BACK TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!

IT'S SPAIN AND ARGENTINA IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!!

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

ARGENTINA WITH ANOTHER INCREDIBLE COMEBACK TO WIN THE SEMIFINAL AND BOOK THEIR TICKET TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!

Ball sent in got Burn but Dibu was there to get a touch and a whistle blows for a foul on England. 

We are a minute and a half over the nine minutes of stoppage. How much more will be added?

Bellingham sends Messi to the ground and then had a word with Messi who was still on the ground. All of Argentina comes in to push him away from their GOAT. 

Into the final minute of stoppage time. There could be a minute or two added on. 

Dibu collects a ball sent from the center circle in for Burn but it was an easy take for the ARG keeper.

Argentina dealing with every ball that is being sent into the box at the moment. It's last gasp stuff for England right now. 

Spence and Stones out for Rashford and Toney. 

England pushing all the way up. Now it's Argentina on the back foot for the final few minutes.

It came right off the shot off the post from Mac Allister. The defense was slow covering Messi and he had all the time in the world to pin point Martinez on the back post. Incredible. Argentina have done it again. 

GOOOOOAAALLLLLL!!!!!

MESSI FROM THE END LINE AND HE FINDS THE HEAD OF LAUTARO ON THE BACK POST!!! LAUTARO WITH HIS THIRD GOAL OF THE WORLD CUP, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN AS IMPORTANT

ARGENTINA LEAD 2-1!!!

Mac Allister off the post again!!! 

NINE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!

Argentina equalize with a stunner from Enzo Martinez. 

It wasn't a collision it was just a header that left him a little wobbly, and he's going to have to come off the pitch for the last minute of the 90. 

Stones goes up for a header and stays down after a collision in the six yard box. 

Argentina have all of their attacking player on the pitch. England have all of their defenders. If this goes to extra time, it will be awfully interesting. 

We are all square and it's all Argentina over the last half hour. England are going to have to hold on for the final four minutes!

GOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!

Short corner taken off the shot from Enzo and it's Enzo again, from the top of the area and he lasers that past Pickford!!!

WHAT A SHOT!!!

Enzo had some space from long range and that had some zip on it and needed a touch from Pickford. 

England playing a five, almost six man back line with O'Reilly on the left wing. Messi tries to go over the top with a ball from the left side and it's nodded away by Burn. 

Rice and James out for O'Reilly and Burn. 

James goes down after a collision on the back line and he has to head off the pitch for a minute, but he's going to get subbed out anyway. 

Lautaro Martinez on for Tagliafico for the final 10 minutes. 

Rodgers leading the counter and he took the shot on all by himself. Maybe wasn't the right option but that was the first time England have pushed up the park in a long time. 

Argentina were this close to equalizing. Mac Allister smashes the header off the post and it takes an unfortunate bounce for Argentina. 

.Messi from the center of the park again and again he was looking for Gonzalez who nodded it across goal for either a shot or a crossing attempt but that bounced out of play. Another scare for England even though the flag had gone up for offside.

Mac Allister with another chance with the header on goal but this one was right at Pickford. 

De Paul with a fantastic ball to the 6 yard box and Mac Allister got a head to it and banged it off the back post but it somehow stayed out!!

Argentina have looked the more likely to score since the England goal. England are bending but not breaking. 

It's a defensive sub from England. They look ready to defend until the death for this final stretch of the match. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FROM THE FINAL 18 MINUTES!

Argentina going to their bench, it's Otamendi, Montiel and de Paul for Simeone, Molina and Martinez.

First sub of the game for England. Konsah is in for Gordon.

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK FROM ATLANTA!!!

WHAT A SAVE!!!

Pickford sprawls to ground after Messi sends in a ball that found the head of Nico Gonzalez. He nodded it down and it looked like a goal until some heroics from the England keeper. 

Spence with a brilliant bit of defending on the last gasp. 

Messi in the middle of the area and he curls it around James but Gonzalez's cross back to the middle is blocked away for a corner. 

James lays it back to Rice after a diagnoal ball from the near side and Rice takes the shot on but it was a low shot that had the sting taken out of it as it rolled along the grass. Easy take for Dibu. 

Messi from the middle of the park and he dinks it over for Nico Gonzalez who tried to nod it back for Tagliafico but Stones was there with a strong header away. 

Argentina going to the bench first. It's Nico Gonzalez in for Paredes. 

Argentina have responded since the goal. It's the response you would expect from the defending champions. 

Bing, bang, boom. Just like, that it goes from Kane to Rodgers and he picked out Gordon perfectly on the back post. Molina was a bit slow getting there if we are being honest. 

Simeone with a fantastic bit of hustle to win the ball back and Messi found in on the near side of the box. He took a touch too many looking for his shot and that attack was dealt with. 

Enzo sends in a cross from the right side that was popped up and flew out over the end line. 

What a tackle by Spence! Simeone was played in after the ball from the middle and had a one vs. one with PIckford but Spence came out of nowhere with a risky but brilliant sliding challenge. 

Argentina now have to go after the match after going down in this semi. 

Rodgers put the ball in from the right side hoping someone would show up on the back post and Gordon snuck behind the defender and tucked it home with the one touch finish!

Simeone on the right side and he sends in a bullet to the spot, but Jude did just about enough to clear his lines. 

Simeone stepped in front of Spence and might have got him with a flailing arm. Foul called. No card. Remember Spence was wearing a protective mask after breaking his jaw a few months ago. He's not wearing it today and just got hit in the face. 

Jude tackled in the midfield by Romero and he is shown a yellow card. Argentina have seen two yellows already in this semifinal. 

Romero received a ball in the box with two England attackers closing down but made a beautiful touch to get around them and the reelase the ball into space. 

Spence on the left side and he make a burst towards the end line before putting in the low cross that was cleared away by Romero for a throw in. 

Messi puts a ball in from the right side after a short corner and it was headed away by Stones. 

Ball from the back falls into the path of Alvarez and he takes a shot from a tight angle that was stopped by Pickford. Alvarez got the ball back and took it from an even tighter angle and earned a corner after Pickford blocked it out over the line. 

Messi got a little more involved in the final part of the first half, but Kane and Jude haven't put their stamp on the game yet. 

England had more of the ball in the first half but didn't do a whole lot with it. Argentina had less of the ball but had the only real chance of the match with Enzo's shot that went high. 

THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY AND WE ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO NAMING A SECOND FINALIST OF THE WORLD CUP. 

No subs for either team coming out of the break. 

The players are back on the pitch and we are ready for the second 45 from Atlanta. 

Don't think it's a big shock that both captains on the pitch were having a chat with the ref before heading into the break.

Enzo Fernandez had the first and really only chance of the first half. His shot from distance wasn't far off but it was never going to bother Pickford. 

Tension has been the name of the game so far. Let's hope that fades as this game goes on and these two teams can play a match that is deserving of a semifinal. So far... not so much. 

Even Tuchel started to show the frustration with the refs after two of his players were sent to ground without a whistle. 

Enzo Fernandez wasn't booked for this challenge on Anderson, even though the England players thought a booking may have been deserved.

Things didn't cool down and Jude Bellingham was in the middle of everything at the start. Argentina have a way of taking a team out of their game and tactics. Is it working? I'm not sure. 

It's been the story of the first half. Neither team likes each other and it shows. It started early and won't stop until the final whistle. 

HALFTIME!!!

The corner kick won't happen after the referee blows the whistle to end this first half that was full of tension but lacking any sore of real quality or chances. 

Gordon takes a touch into the middle of the park and his cross was deflected at the top of the box and flies out for a corner. 

Paredes lifts a high boot and gets a piece of James, but avoids the refs book. 

Don't think either team wants to risk too much in these last few minutes. It's would change the course of this game heading into the second half if someone where to get a late goal. 

THREE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!!

Some jeers coming, maybe from the England fans, after a diagonal ball for James sails out into to touch. Maybe a little frustration with nothing happening on either side. 

One of the only, if not the only, chance comes from Argentina and Enzo Fernandez.

England strips a ball that got away from Messi and Rodgers was trying to start the counter but was held back by L. Martinez who was shown a card. They are starting to pile up, the bookings in the first half. 

The Argentina fans have been in full voice since the very start of this match, and before. There are plenty of England fans but it's hard to compete with the fans of the Albiceleste.

Messi's shot is blocked at the top of the area and it fell for Enzon who took it from long range and just barely missed brushing the top of the cross bar. 

Messi was taken down in the middle of the pitch by Anderson and he is shown a yellow card. As always a bit of afters come following the foul by England. 

James puts it into the mix and that ball was punched away by Martinez. Watch out a lot of action in the midfield after that clearance.

Jude taken down by Molina at the far corner of the area and this another dangerous position to get a first chance on goal for England.

Ball from the back by Pickford and a lovely one touch from Spence into the path of Gordon finds the winger but his touch let him down. 

Rice swings it in and Stones was on the back post to get a head to it over Lisandro Martinez but that effort was wide of the target. 

Jude with a fantastic turn on the right side and carried it until the top of the box but he was cut down and a free kick was given in a dangerous area for Rice to swing in. 

Neither Messi nor Jude nor Kane have had their say in this game just yet. They don't need much. This game can change in an instant with those three on the pitch. 

SImeone is working hard on that right side to win back possession. He's a perfect player for a game like today. He will go until his gas tank is on E. 

Tuchel going nuts on the sideline, screaming in the fourth officials ear after James and Rodgers were taken down one after the other and no call came. 

WE ARE BACK IN ACTION FROM ATLANTA. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE FROM ATLANTA. THIS IS USUALLY WHEN THE GAME STARTS TO CHANGE. LET'S SEE IF THAT'S TRUE HERE IN THIS SECOND SEMIFINAL. 

Messi with the inswinger from the far side and Simeone was all over Pickford as the whistle blew. 

Simeone driving at Spence on the right side and he earns a corner. 

The early storyline: Chippy. These teams don't like each other and it shows. 

Messi's first touch in the attacking third was a chested ball at the top of the area, but it was cut out by the England back line. He's always a threat. Everything he touches the ball, England will have to pay maximum attention. 

Kane looks wide for Rodgers who hit James on the overlap. James tried the early ball in looking for Kane but that low cross was snagged by Martinez. 

Still looking for our first shot on goal 18 minutes into this match. As expected this is tight. It's physical and both teams are trying to find themselves in this match. 

Paredes and Jude are locked in a duel and it started from the first minute. Paredes just made a sliding challenge on Bellingham and had plenty to say to Jude after winning the ball back for his team. Jude shrugged it off with a smile. 

Gordon takes over from Spence after the defender poked the ball away from an Argentina player and took a little too long to make up his mind. He had options but touched it into the middle looking for a shot but instead was swarmed by four defenders. 

Most of this match has been played in the attacking half of England. Argentina have spent much of these first few minutes either chasing or fouling. 

We aren't even a quarter of an hour into this match and the ref is already about to lose control of this match. Anderson goes to ground. No call, and we move on. 

Enzo setting the tone early on with a little forearm to the back of Anderson. 

Infantino was just shown on the big screen here from Atlanta and strangely enough there weren't as many boos as their normally are. Could have something to do with the large Argentina contingency in the crowd. 

Tagliafico gets dragged to ground by James and the ref was all on top of that. I have to think if this turns into an ugly game, Argentina will benefit. They don't mind a scrap. England won't back down, but that's not exactly their game. 

Rice with an outswinger from the near side and that was cleared away with a convincing header from Romero. 

Rodgers down the right side and his ball into the middle is sent away for a corner kick. 

Anderson gets taken down again and we have a battle playing out here from Atlanta. The ref has his work cut out for him today. 

Spence with a shining run down the left side and he megged Molina on his way into the box before having his run shut down by Romero. 

There was a little dust up and Jude Bellingham was in the middle of everything. Paredes and him had to be seperated but the ref called for calm. 

Anderson got taken down by Enzo Fernandez right after the contact on Messi and he is lucky to get away with no yellow after coming in with a forearm to the head of the England midfielder. 

Messi got held up in the midfield and the Argentina players were all over the ref asking for a foul if not more. Nothing came. 

This is the best team Argentina have played all tournament. England will want to come out on the front foot, but this is a semifinal. Nerves play a part. 

England do well when teams try to attack them. Argentina will attack when they can, but they know the danger England possess up front.

THE SECOND SEMIFINAL IS UNDERWAY FROM ATLANTA!!! IT'S A WORLD CUP CLASSIC. ARGENTINA AND ENGLAND FOR A SPOT IN THE FINAL!

The anthems have been screamed around the ground here from Atlanta and he just have one more order of business to tend to. Kickoff in a matter of minutes.

For Argentina they are keeping Rodrigo de Paul on the bench and going with Simeone on the right side. Alvarez gets the nod after scoring the game winner against Switzerland. 

World Cup 2026

Who is Ismail Elfath, the referee for England vs Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal matchup?

The man in the middle

Referees have been a huge part of this World Cup. There have been some questionable calls over the course of the tournament, and referees have been in the spotlight and making headlines a little more often than fans and players would prefer. Some say Argentina have been beneficiaries of a lot of those calls. Today's ref in charge of his second semifinal is Ismail Elfath. Our Roddy Cons has the low down on the man in the middle.

England get Rice back from an illness and have Reece James back from injury. Rodgers gets plugged into the middle with Anderson and Rice with Saka and Madueke starting on the bench. It's a new look from Tuchel for this semifinal against Argentina.

World Cup 2026

Why does Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister have a Scottish surname?

Mac Allister's name origins 

He was one of the heroes of the quarterfinal. Alexis Mac Allister scored a goal in the quarterfinal against Norway and now he is getting ready for the semifinal against England. There is one burning question behind the midfielders last name. Our Roddy Cons has all you need to know.

World Cup winner odds

Taking a look at the odds of the three teams left in the tournament we see Spain with the best odds after beating France yesterday. That could be because they have only one more match to win where England and Argentina will have to get through today before thinking about winning it all. Spain are paying (-152), while England pay (+300) and Argentina pay (+400).

FIFA World Rankings

Taking a look at the FIFA World Rankings after France’s loss to Spain yesterday we see Spain at the top of the rankings for the first time all tournament. France dropped to second in the standings with Argentina dipping to third for the first time all World Cup. They came into this tournament in the top spot but after a few tough knockout matches they have dropped down to third but still lead England who sit in fourth in the standings.

World Cup

Liam Gallagher says he’s ready to perform Wonderwall on pitch if England make it to final 

An England Oasis in NY/NJ?

Liam Gallagher is a well known Manchester City fan, on top of being one of the most famous singers in the world. His band's song Oasis has been adopted as the victory cry for England after their wins in this World Cup. He made a promise on social media earlier in this campaign, and he is one win away from having to deliver on that bet. Click to read more.

World Cup 2026

Understanding the heated rivalry between Argentina and England: The history behind the on and off-field hostility

Most memorable ARG vs. ENG matches

As we mentioned earlier, thanks to Jennifer Bubel's article, this is the 15th match up between these two sides. There have been some memorable matches, fantastic goals and historic performances. Our William Allen is here to remind you of all of those points of reference in this massive international derby.

World Cup

Who coined the term ‘Hand of God’? The origins of Maradona’s goal against England and the Mexican media reaction in 1986

Hand of God history lesson

These two teams can't play each other without mentioning one of the most famous plays, and goals in the history of the sport. It was the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. England and Argentina locked in goalless battle coming out of halftime, but in the 51st minute Maradonna scores a goal on a ball sent into the box to put Argentina on the board first. After seeing the review it was evident the No.10 deflected the ball with his hand, but the goal would go down in history as Argentina won the game and would go on to win their second star two games after the Hand of God. Our Calum Roche has more.

World Cup 2026

How rare is a back-to-back World Cup champion? The historical stats behind defending the title

Back to back World Cup winner

Argentina have a chance to join an elite list of World Cup winners who have won back to back tournaments. It hasn't happened in over six decades and has only happened twice in the history of the tournament. Our William Allen has more.

World Cup 2026

What is England’s record against Argentina? All-time head-to-head record ahead of 2026 World Cup semifinals

All time series record: ARG-ENG

There is lots of tension between these two teams, we already know that. Historically, politically and sportingly there is no love lost between England and Argentina. This will be the fifteenth meeting between these two teams. Our Jennifer Bubel has the entire historical break down of those first 14 encounters.

Starting XI Argentina

Lionel Scaloni has his XI set for this World Cup semifinal. He is going with Martinez in goal behind Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Tagliafico in the back. Giuliano Simone gets the nod with Paredes, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez in the middle. Messi will be floating around behind Julian Alvarez.

Minutes racking up

England's road has been, on paper, harder than Argentina’s. They had to play Mexico in altitude in a stadium that El Tri hardly ever lose. Then they have to play Norway in the middle of a Miami summer day. That match went to extra time, which accounts for an extra 30 minutes of group stage soccer, but Argentina have to come into this match with the tank some what empty. They went to extra time in two of their three knockout matches and if it wasn’t for a 2-0 comeback and a stoppage time goal against Egypt that would be three ETs in three KO matches. Messi is 39 years old and has carried this team in this tournament. How much more can he give this team after a grueling last week and a half.

Cup cake run for defending champs?

It has nothing to do with Argentina, or the organizers, but Argentina have made it to the semis without really having to play anyone that could be considered a top side in this tournament. The FIFA World Rankings began in 1992 and since the 1994 World Cup, no team has reached a semifinal without playing a top 15 opponent. Argentina has played Algeria (28), Austria (24), Jordan (63), Cabo Verde (67), Egypt (29) and Switzerland (19) in this tournament. Call it the luck of the draw, but England is a top five team, and if Argentina are going to get to the final, they are going to have to earn it.

Starting XI: England

Thomas Tuchel has his XI for this semifinal match from Atlanta. It's Pickford in the goal with James, Stones, Guehi and Spence in the back with Anderson, Rice and Rodgers in the middle of the park. Gordon, Bellingham and Kane up top.

Last game: Argentina

Unlike the round of 16 match against Egypt, Argentina took the lead early on against Switzerland thanks to an Alexis Mac Allister header off a corner kick in the 10th minute. Switzerland would rebound and look the better side for large portions of the match until finally they leveled the game with a goal from Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute. Argentina looked on the ropes but a VAR review would lead to Breel Embolo being shown a second yellow for simulation and the Swiss were forced to play with a man down for the final 17 minutes of the 90 and into the extra time session. In extra time Julian Alvarez scored a golazo from outside the area, and Lautaro Martinez polished off the game with a stoppage time goal right before the final whistle to move Argentina one step closer to the final.

Last game: England

Thomas Tuchel said his team didn't play well against Norway in the quarterfinals from Miami, but Jude Bellingham played the hero for the second straight game. He scored both goals after Norway took an early lead in the 36th minute. Andreas Schjelderup nodded home a header to stun England, but Jude Bellingham leveled the score with a bit of brilliance in stoppage time of the first half. Norway would pack it in for the second half and England struggled to create chances. The match went to extra time and and in the third minute of the first session Bellingham was there to tuck home a rebound off a shot from Morgan Rogers and England held on to close out Norway and book their ticket to the semis.