Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory over England, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes—Enzo Fernández equalized with a long-range strike in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martínez headed the winner from Lionel Messi’s assist. The defending champions survived another high-pressure knockout match, having also edged Cape Verde (a.e.t.), Egypt (after coming back from 2-0 down), and Switzerland (a.e.t.) earlier in the tournament. They will face Spain, who beat France 2-0, in Sunday’s final—marking their seventh overall meeting in World Cup history, adding new chapters to a rivalry steeped in political and sporting lore, though both coaches downplayed historical tensions ahead of the match.
Original Article Source Link:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/15/nx-s1-5893895/2026-world-cup-fifa-argentina-england-semifinal