It hurt to watch: Argentina turn it around against England at 90+2 and are one game from back-to-back titles

A warning to our Brazilian readers: this article contains scenes of an Argentine stoppage-time comeback, a Messi assist at 39 years old and a place in the World Cup final. The newsroom's recommendation is to take a deep breath before continuing. We had to write it; you only have to read it.

In Atlanta, on the stage of the 1986 rematch, Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 with goals at 85 and 90+2 and booked their place in the final of the 2026 World Cup, against Spain, on Sunday. Forty years after the Hand of God, the English left the pitch once again feeling that fate writes its scripts against them — and we Brazilians left with the feeling that it isn't exactly rooting for us either.

The worst part — and here we owe the reader some honesty — is that it was deserved. Argentina had 64% possession, outshot England 15 to 5 and built 1.84 expected goals against 0.53. England scored the goal they didn't deserve and lost the game they never controlled.

Half an hour without a shot — then chaos

The first half entered the record books for the wrong reasons: neither team managed a shot in the opening 30 minutes, the first time that has happened in a World Cup match since 1966 — the year, as it happens, of England's only title, won over Argentina along the way. The game was tense, congested, played on nerves.

At 55, England found their release: a rapid counter, Morgan Rogers drilled a low cross and Anthony Gordon arrived at the far post to turn it in. 1-0, against the run of play — and Brazilian fans, let's be honest, caught themselves cheering for an England team for the first time in their lives.

The ten minutes that ruined our night

It lasted until the 85th minute. Enzo Fernández received the ball at the edge of the box, set himself and unleashed an unstoppable strike from nearly 20 meters into Pickford's corner: level, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium — swamped in albiceleste shirts — erupted.

Then came the scene football insists on repeating: Messi, 39 years old, loitering on the right wing like a man who no longer runs but sees everything, floated a perfect cross at 90+2. Lautaro Martínez, on from the bench — again, just like against Switzerland — rose and headed it into the net. 2-1, comeback complete, full time.

"Argentina will play their second consecutive World Cup final. If they beat Spain, they will become the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Yes, dear reader: since OUR back-to-back. Life has a taste for cruel symmetries."

1966, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2026 — the rivalry that never disappoints

England vs Argentina is the most loaded fixture in World Cup history, and another chapter just joined the collection. The knockout ledger now tilts decisively toward the Argentines — who have won the last three elimination meetings.

Argentina at World Cups

Champions in 2022, Argentina have produced the campaign of a seasoned champion in 2026: they suffered against Cape Verde, needed extra time against Switzerland, trailed England until the 85th minute — and won every time. They arrive at the final with Messi dishing out assists, Lautaro deciding games off the bench and the aura of a team that has simply forgotten how to lose a knockout tie.

England at World Cups

For England, the curse continues with extra refinement: a fourth semifinal in their history, a third straight knockout exit to the eventual finalist, and the only title still the one from 1966. Kane's generation ages without the star; Bellingham's — the best English player of the tournament, anonymous on this night — inherits the bill. It's not coming home.

Argentina's standouts

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 39). He doesn't run like he used to, doesn't dribble past three like he used to — and he is still the most important player on the team. The cross onto Lautaro's head at 90+2 was his second decisive assist in consecutive knockout games. At 39, he will play the last final of his life 90 minutes from a second world title. Even the toughest Brazilian heart has to admit: this is pure history unfolding.

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, 25). The screamer that leveled the game at 85 — an unstoppable strike from outside the box — was the moment that flipped the semifinal. Best young player of the 2022 World Cup, he now owns the world champions' midfield.

Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, 28). Off the bench again, decisive again — it happened against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and it happened at 90+2 in Atlanta. He has become the most valuable 12th man in football: the one who comes on to finish the game (and our peace of mind).

England's standouts

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle, 25). Scored the goal that, for half an hour, had England on course for the second final in their history. His far-post arrival, finishing off Rogers's counter, was the only moment the English plan worked from start to finish.

Jordan Pickford (Everton, 32). Three saves that protected the lead until the 85th minute — and no blame on either goal. He leaves the World Cup as one of the tournament's best goalkeepers, and once again without a team to match him when it mattered most.

Match facts

• 55' — Anthony Gordon (ENG), assist by Morgan Rogers
• 85' — Enzo Fernández (ARG), screamer from outside the box
• 90+2' — Lautaro Martínez (ARG), header, assist by Messi
• Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

The final: Argentina vs Spain, and a plea to La Roja

On Sunday, Argentina face Spain in the decider — the reigning world champions against the reigning European champions, who dispatched France 2-0 in the other semifinal. At stake for the Argentines: the back-to-back title that only the Brazil of Pelé and Garrincha has ever achieved. The Guriball newsroom, in strict compliance with journalistic impartiality, wishes both teams the best of luck — but the reader knows perfectly well which way our green-and-yellow hearts will lean on Sunday. You can follow it all here on Guriball.