Argentina stun England 2-1 to end 60-year World Cup final dream in stoppage-time comeback

Argentina completed a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, ending the Three Lions’ hopes of a first World Cup title since 1966. Anthony Gordon’s opener had England dreaming of Sunday’s final against Spain, but Lionel Messi’s side scored twice to keep their title defence alive.

England held their lead for 78 minutes before the game turned. Manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to introduce three defensive substitutes and drop deep after Gordon’s goal handed Argentina the initiative, and they made England pay with two decisive strikes.

“We’re disappointed,” Tuchel said. “So close, but we got too passive after we scored. Conceded a lot of chances, and could not turn the possession around. Conceded so many crosses and chances and shots. We were close, but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”

Harry Kane, who matched Jude Bellingham as England’s joint-leading scorer with six goals in the tournament, stood in disbelief at the final whistle. The captain had not scored in England’s last two matches but played a role in the build-up to Gordon’s opener.

“Gutted for the boys. Gutted for everyone: the staff, the fans,” Kane said. “We played a good game for the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we just tried to hold on, which at this level, is not enough. Just gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears, whatever it is. So for that to fall short, is just gutting.”

Bellingham, 23, had been one of the tournament’s standout players, scoring six goals and adding one assist, including braces in the round of 16 against Mexico and the quarterfinal against Norway. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had publicly praised his performances. After the final whistle, Bellingham embraced Scaloni but also clashed with several Argentina players during what was one of the most physical matches of the tournament.

For England, the defeat prolongs a title drought stretching back 60 years, and leaves another generation of players to reckon with how close they came.