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Argentina Upsets England 2-1, Messi Provides 11th Assist

7/16/2026

Summary

Argentina Beats England

Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, moving to the final.
England led after Anthony Gordon scored from a Morgan Rogers cross in the 55th minute.
Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute with a 20-yard shot after Lionel Messi’s pass, giving Messi his 11th World Cup assist.
Lautaro Martínez headed the winning goal in second-minute stoppage time from a Messi cross.

Summary

England Shifts Lineup

Tuchel started Morgan Rogers and selected Reece James and Djed Spence over Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.
Scaloni dropped Rodrigo De Paul and started Giuliano Simeone.
England shifted to a five, swapping Reece James for Dan Burn and Declan Rice for Nico O’Reilly.
Messi made 36 carries, two progressive, and nine of eleven dribbles, while Opta logged England at 12 % possession versus Argentina’s 88 %.

Summary

Messi Assists Farewell

Players displayed a “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner after the win, prompting FIFA to warn of disciplinary action.
Wayne Rooney said Thomas Tuchel’s defensive substitutions destroyed belief, noting that Tuchel admitted England became too passive after taking the lead.
Harry Kane is gutted, will not rule out Cups and trails Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé by two goals, while Lionel Messi’s assists for Argentine goals marked his appearance before retirement.

History

Historical Context

The 1982 Falklands War, fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom in April–June 1982, ended with a British victory. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a 30,000-troop task force, and junta leader Leopoldo Galtieri mobilized 70,000 soldiers, causing 255 British and 649 Argentine deaths. The 2024 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, where Lionel Messi’s late assist clinched Argentina’s 2-1 win over England, revived the rivalry from the 1982 conflict. That echo of past animosities fuels heightened political chants, prompting FIFA warnings and underscoring how historic wars still shape modern sport diplomacy.

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Argentina Beats England

Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, moving to the final.
England led after Anthony Gordon scored from a Morgan Rogers cross in the 55th minute.
Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute with a 20-yard shot after Lionel Messi’s pass, giving Messi his 11th World Cup assist.
Lautaro Martínez headed the winning goal in second-minute stoppage time from a Messi cross.

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