Argentina secured a dramatic World Cup semi-final victory on Wednesday, overturning a late England lead to win 2-1 in stoppage time at Atlanta Stadium.

The reigning champions launched their offensive surge in the 85th minute to level the score, before sealing the win with a dramatic late header, sparking jubilant celebrations across Argentina.

This wasn’t just another win—we felt something special. The team sensed it, and we knew this was a victory Argentina demanded, one we all craved, reflected Lionel Messi, alluding to the long-standing rivalry with England.

Argentina advances despite another uneven performance, following narrow escapes against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland in earlier rounds. The triumph underscores the team’s relentless spirit and unshakable belief.

Today, we dug deep when the going got tough. We never stopped believing, added the captain, who contributed two assists. We pushed them back into their own half—it was pure joy.

This squad continues to amaze me, admitted head coach Lionel Scaloni. What they’ve shown is incredible, he emphasized, praising the passionate home support. We’re something special—not arrogance, but heart. These fans carried us to victory today.

England’s captain vents frustration after heartbreaking loss

England struck first through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, latching onto a brilliant cross from Morgan Rogers after a darting run to break free of his marker.

I’m devastated—for the players, the staff, the fans. We played well for most of the game, but when we were up 1-0, we looked like we were just trying to hold on. At this level, that’s not enough, confessed Harry Kane.

Messi turned the tide with two decisive passes in the dying moments, shifting momentum firmly in Argentina’s favor.

In the final 15 to 25 minutes, whenever he could, Messi took control. He played like he was in his own backyard, observed Scaloni.

Enzo Fernández pulled Argentina level with a thunderous long-range strike in the 85th minute, sending shockwaves through the England camp. Lautaro Martínez then headed home in the 90th+2 to book Argentina’s ticket to the final.

Since my father bought my first pair of cleats, I’ve dreamed of scoring a goal like this, Martínez shared, visibly moved. This team keeps proving what we’re made of.

England’s Three Lions fell agonizingly short of the final for the second time in eight years, mirroring their 2018 exit. Their last World Cup triumph dates back to 1966, when they lifted the trophy on home soil.

Argentina sparks controversy with Falklands protest

Minutes after the final whistle, Argentine players unfurled a banner reading The Malvinas are Argentine, a direct reference to the disputed Falkland Islands sovereignty issue that sparked war in 1982.

The display, later laid on the Atlanta pitch by Giovanni Lo Celso, appears to contravene FIFA’s rules prohibiting political messages in tournament venues.

President Javier Milei later urged restraint, stating We mustn’t conflate football with the Falklands dispute. The islands will be recovered through diplomacy, not cheap patriotism, he told Radio Mitre. We’ve made significant diplomatic progress—even securing a UN resolution for talks with the UK—but this was just a football match, he added, hailing Argentina’s victory as a glorious milestone.

The Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the South Atlantic, have been claimed by Argentina since its 1833 occupation by Britain. A two-month conflict erupted in spring 1982 after Argentine junta forces landed on the islands, resulting in 649 Argentine and 258 British fatalities.

Four years later, at the 1986 World Cup, Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Diego Maradona’s legendary brace, including the infamous Hand of God, which he described as symbolic revenge against the English.

Argentine fans’ unofficial World Cup 2026 anthem, La Cuarta Estrella, echoes the sentiment: For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s legacy—Argentina, we want to see you crowned world champions again.