15 Jul 2026

England 1-2 Argentina: Messi delivers two assists in Atlanta

Argentina are through to the World Cup 2026 final after a 2-1 comeback win over England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Anthony Gordon put England in front early in the second half, but Enzo Fernández levelled late and Lautaro Martínez struck in added time, both laid on by Lionel Messi.

The first half was a slow burn with almost no threat at either end. After the break the game opened up, Argentina controlled territory, and their pressure finally told. England defended bravely and cleared a lot, yet the ball kept coming back. The xG gap grew with every Argentina surge. In the end, the team with more shots, more possession, and more entries into dangerous areas found a way. Sofascore had Player of the Match Lionel Messi at an 8 Sofascore Rating, and his quality told in the decisive moments.

Match flow at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The opening 45 minutes were cagey. England actually edged the first-half xG 0.05 to 0.03 and finished that period with more final-third entries. Chances were scarce, with only three total shots recorded before half-time. Both teams were careful in build-up and compact between the lines. That tone changed quickly after the interval.

England struck first in the 55th minute when Gordon finished from close range after a neat Morgan Rogers delivery. At that stage, England still had only a couple of shots, and Argentina had not found their rhythm in the box. Lionel Scaloni turned to his bench on 72 minutes, introducing Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Otamendi. Those changes pushed Argentina higher and wider, and the visitors took control. Enzo Fernández equalised on 86 minutes from a Messi pass, picking his spot with one of his four shots. In the second minute of added time, Messi threaded another ball for Lautaro Martínez, who made it 2-1 with clinical precision. England threw on Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney late, but there was no way back through nine minutes of stoppage time.

The numbers that told the story

Argentina dominated possession at 64% and finished with 590 passes to England’s 324. They produced 15 shots to 5, with 5 on target to 2, and posted 1.80 xG against England’s 0.54. Three big chances went Argentina’s way compared to one for England. Touches in the penalty area read 28 to 7, a clear indicator of where the match was played.

Wide service and progression also leaned Argentina. They attempted 19 crosses to England’s 15 and completed 6, while England completed 3. Argentina’s dribble success stood at 12 out of 15, an 80% hit rate, against England’s 8 out of 19. In the final-third phase Argentina completed 198 of 230 actions at 86%, while England managed 60 of 92 at 65%. Corner kicks were 6 to 1, another territory marker. England did win more aerial duels at 55% and made 9 interceptions to Argentina’s 7. Jordan Pickford’s three saves included two “big” saves by definition, yet his goals prevented metric was -0.62, while Emiliano Martínez finished just above neutral.

MVP Lionel Messi: two assists, an 8 Sofascore Rating

Messi was the difference when it mattered and earned an 8 Sofascore Rating. He finished with two assists, four key passes, and two big chances created. He attempted nine crosses with three accurate, constantly asking questions down the right half-space and from set positions. He completed 43 of 54 passes and touched the ball 94 times, a team-leading influence in possession.

Beyond end product, the captain won 12 duels and carried the ball 36 times for a total of 256 meters. His expected assists number was 0.76, the highest in the match, which mirrors the quality of the chances he laid on. He also progressed play by 117 meters through carries, keeping Argentina on the front foot. Not every touch was clean, and there was one error that led to a shot, but the net effect was control and creation at critical moments. On Sofascore you can dive into his full heat map and passing chart to see how often he popped up between England’s lines.

Close behind the MVP, Enzo Fernández posted a 7.7 with a goal, four shots, and an excellent 82 of 84 passing. Lautaro Martínez scored the winner, needed only one shot, and logged a 7.3. Leandro Paredes (7.3) stitched midfield with 68 of 70 passes and two key passes, while Rodrigo De Paul made a sharp impact off the bench with 0.33 expected assists and a 7.1.

England’s plan, Argentina’s response

Thomas Tuchel’s England set up in a 4-2-3-1 and were disciplined off the ball. They won 55% of their aerials, made 29 clearances, and tallied 9 interceptions, which kept the game scoreless through 85 minutes. Declan Rice (7.1) contributed two key passes and a shot on target before he was withdrawn. Elliot Anderson led England’s Sofascore ratings at 7.2 by covering ground, winning 12 duels and completing 43 of 53 passes. Rogers added a key pass and the assist for Gordon’s opener.

Yet the metrics tilted hard as Argentina increased the tempo. Scaloni’s changes at 72 minutes added urgency and fresh width. De Paul’s passing broke lines and added crossing quality, Montiel provided overlaps, and Otamendi’s positioning helped lock play in England’s half. Argentina completed 52 final-third entries to England’s 48 and were far more efficient once there. The dribble success gap, 80% to 42%, also reflected how Argentina’s carriers beat pressure and drew fouls or found passing lanes. England’s late defensive reshuffle, forced partly by Reece James’ injury, limited their counter threat and invited more pressure.

How the semifinal was won

Argentina’s second half was a masterclass in territory and patience. They produced 13 shots after the break and won five corners in the same span. England’s four second-half shots included Gordon’s goal but little else inside the box. The visitors’ 313 accurate passes in the second half alone underline how the game shifted toward England’s area. Messi’s two late assists were the headline, but the platform came from a midfield that kept the ball moving and fullbacks who pushed high.

Pickford made three stops and several strong claims, yet the volume of entries and crosses finally told. Emiliano Martínez had a quieter evening, needing just one save, and Argentina’s back line attacked balls early, finishing with 30 clearances. Cristian Romero and colleagues were aggressive stepping out, which kept Harry Kane on the periphery. In the final count, Argentina owned the bulk of the territory, the shot count, and the xG. That is a compelling trifecta in knockout football.

What it means

Argentina advance to the World Cup 2026 final, carrying momentum and a performance profile built on control and chance creation. The reigning world number one by ranking leaned on its leaders and its depth. Messi’s output, Enzo’s complete midfield display, and the sharpness of the bench point to a team peaking at the right time. Lionel Scaloni will appreciate how his side managed the game after falling behind and how they finished stronger.

England’s journey ends in the semifinals. There were positives in defensive organisation, set-piece defending, and aerial strength. The side will, however, look at the attacking figures, especially touches in the box and total shots, and feel there was more to find. Anthony Gordon’s goal, Rogers’ assist, and Anderson’s energy stood out. The next step is turning control without the ball into more threat with it in pressure moments. Fans can track all the match data, live ratings, and xG timelines for this semifinal on Sofascore, which also hosts detailed player pages and heat maps for every key performance.