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Padraig Whelan · 15 July 2026

Thank you for joining us for the live coverage of tonight’s thrilling encounter. It’s been quite an emotional ride!

It’s heartbreak once again for England, who must now prepare for a third-place play-off against fellow semi-final losers France on Saturday in Miami.

A Finalissima in every sense.

FULL TIME! ENGLAND 1-2 ARGENTINA

We now have our World Cup final confirmed! The reigning champions will face Spain on Sunday evening after an astonishing second-half comeback inspired by Lionel Messi. A disappointing end to England’s summer campaign, but Argentina’s strength ultimately proved decisive.

And yes, he remains the man of the moment.

Time is running out for England as they throw everything forward against Argentina. Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford replace John Stones and Djed Spence for an all-out attacking push. Can they find a way back?

GOAL! ENGLAND 1-2 ARGENTINA

Absolute scenes in Atlanta! Moments after Alexis Mac Allister hit the post, Messi regained possession and delivered a sublime cross from the right flank that Lautaro Martínez met unmarked at the far post to put Argentina ahead.

We’ll have nine minutes of additional time. Is there another twist before the final whistle?

GOAL! ENGLAND 1-1 ARGENTINA

What a strike! Enzo Fernández unleashes a sensational long-range effort following a corner, set up by Messi, to beat Jordan Pickford and level the score.

CHANCE!

Enzo tries his luck again from distance — it looked like it might sail over, but Pickford got a fingertip to it just to be sure.

Dan Burn and O’Reilly come on for Declan Rice and Reece James as Thomas Tuchel looks to close out proceedings. Argentina respond by bringing on Lautaro Martínez for Nicolás Tagliafico.

CHANCE!

The offside flag spares England as Nicolás González meets Messi’s cross at the far post but sends it across the goalmouth. A very close call.

CHANCE!

Argentina are turning up the pressure now. Mac Allister strikes the post with a powerful header after meeting Rodrigo De Paul’s delivery.

CHANCE!

If Spence’s earlier tackle was the best of the tournament, then Pickford may have just produced the save of the competition to deny González’s header from a Messi cross right before the second hydration break.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni makes a tactical switch as González replaces Leandro Paredes in midfield.

The Barcelona summer signing is enjoying the form of his life!

What a tackle by Spence to stop Giuliano Simeone with a perfectly timed interception. The Tottenham defender celebrates that one as if he’d scored!

GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 ARGENTINA

Breakthrough for England! Anthony Gordon makes a fine run to meet Morgan Rogers’ cross and slots it home.

Cristian Romero is booked for dragging down Jude Bellingham as he tried to break away. That’s both Argentina centre-backs — Romero and Lisandro Martínez — on yellow cards. Advantage England?

Superb defending by Bellingham as he shields the ball from Messi near the byline to defuse the danger after the Argentina captain weaved in from the right.

CHANCE!

Julián Álvarez holds off Spence and forces a save from Pickford, with his follow-up deflecting into the side netting.

SECOND HALF

We’re back underway in Atlanta!

HALF TIME - ENGLAND 0-0 ARGENTINA

Not a classic by any means in Atlanta, with 19 fouls whistled in total. Still, Tuchel’s England will be the happier side going into the break.

Three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half. England are pressing hard, but a goal before the interval looks unlikely.

Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez goes into the referee’s book for pulling back Rogers — the first caution for the reigning world champions.

CHANCE!

Argentina come closest yet as Enzo Fernández fires wide from distance after Messi’s initial shot was blocked.

The referee finally reaches for his cards as Anderson is booked for bringing down Messi, who had danced past Harry Kane and Gordon before being sandwiched by Anderson and Spence.

Bellingham wins another dangerous free kick for England. Tuchel’s men are gradually gaining control after a frustrating opening spell before the hydration break.

CHANCE!

Rice curls in a free kick towards the far post, where Stones meets it but can’t direct his header on target — it bounces wide.

The players pause for the first hydration break — much needed after a frenetic opening 25 minutes!

Referee Ismail Elfath, often said to favour Messi, shows no such leniency tonight, waving away a second foul on the Argentina captain.

Pickford is furious after trying to retrieve the ball from Simeone, who rolls theatrically on the turf. No one expected this to be a pretty affair.

The first ten minutes have been scrappy, with seven fouls already and no real goalmouth action. Elfath will certainly have his hands full tonight.

Tensions flare early as Anderson clatters into Messi, prompting Enzo Fernández to retaliate against the new Manchester City midfielder. Tempers flare between both sides.

KICK OFF

The wait is over! We’re underway in the second World Cup semi-final from Atlanta.

Both teams emerge to a deafening atmosphere — England’s anthem almost drowned out by the crowd, while Argentina’s receives a rousing rendition.

The atmosphere inside Atlanta is electric.

A historic night unfolds — what an occasion!

A landmark night for England’s captain.

OFFICIAL LINE-UPS

As predicted, James, Spence (on the left), and Rogers are surprise starters for England. Meanwhile, Scaloni springs a surprise of his own by choosing Giuliano Simeone over Rodrigo De Paul.

England’s team bus overtakes Argentina’s en route to the stadium — an omen or just pre-match superstition?

More breaking news from Argentina’s camp confirms De Paul’s replacement by Simeone in the starting XI.

Messi’s jersey is ready and waiting in the dressing room.

Just 100 minutes to kick-off in Atlanta.

Here’s hoping for another classic tonight.

Further England selection surprises are expected, with James and Spence set to start as full-backs.

One confident England supporter believes this is their year!

Can Argentina’s captain inspire his side once again?

England will take confidence from their last win over Argentina — a friendly more than two decades ago.

Big news from the England camp: Morgan Rogers starts for just the second time this summer.

Who will join Spain in the final? Share your predictions below!