Argentina are into the World Championship knockout final after a 2-1 win over England in Atlanta. The semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium finished goalless at halftime before the second half delivered all three goals. Referee Ismail Elfath oversaw a tight contest with 3 minutes of added time in the first half and 9 minutes in the second. It was a high-stakes night in front of a venue that can hold up to 71,000 spectators, and it felt like it from the first whistle. On Sofascore you can find the full match page with highlights, xG, player stats and heat maps from this clash.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina managed the decisive details better after the break. Thomas Tuchel’s England pushed in spells, but the visitors kept finding the right pass at the right time. With the match tempo rising late on, Argentina protected their lead through a series of duels and smart fouls. England’s response came, yet it arrived a touch too late to change the outcome. The semifinal tone was set by small margins, and Argentina took more of them.

Messi’s creative night defined the semifinal

Lionel Messi earned an 8.0 Sofascore Rating, and the numbers back it up. He delivered 2 assists in a match that ended 1-2, which speaks for itself. Four key passes kept England’s back line under stress throughout the second half. His dribbling was sharp and efficient, with 9 successful take-ons from 11 attempts. That mix of progression and final ball is exactly what Argentina needed in a tense knockout tie.

Messi also embraced the physical side, winning 12 of 20 duels. Those wins helped Argentina keep attacks alive and slow down England’s transitions. When pressure built, he used control in tight zones to reset play or draw fouls. The creative volume combined with duel success explains the 8.0 on Sofascore. In a match decided by fine details, his output made the difference.

Bellingham’s workload told another story for England

Jude Bellingham posted a 6.6 Sofascore Rating, which reflects a demanding night. He put in 6 defensive contributions, showing how much chasing and covering England needed from midfield. With 40 touches, he tried to link phases but rarely found consistent pockets in the final third. He won 6 of his 14 duels, which is solid but not dominant at this level. Four fouls suffered show he drew contact as he attempted to carry England upfield.

The rating does not question the effort. It captures how difficult it was to turn work into clear chances against Argentina’s shape. England’s late push had energy, yet it lacked the final pass. In knockout football, that gap often decides everything. Bellingham’s shift was honest and heavy on responsibility, just not matched by end product on the night.

Duels, dribbles and the second-half swing

The semifinal hinged on execution after halftime. It was 0-0 at the break, which meant any sequence could tip the match. Argentina found that sequence through creativity and ball-carrying. Messi’s 9/11 dribbles speak to how consistently he beat the first man. Winning 12 of 20 duels also points to second balls going Argentina’s way in key zones.

England had their own moments of bite and control. Bellingham’s 6 defensive contributions underline the workload required to keep Argentina at bay. Yet the visitors were cleaner in the final action, as the assist count shows. With 9 minutes of stoppage time in the second half, England had a window to level, but the door never fully opened. The 2-1 scoreline mirrors a game where attacking precision slightly outweighed volume.

What it means for this World Cup season

Argentina move on to the World Championship knockout final and carry the confidence of a well-managed semifinal. The blueprint looked familiar: measured risk, decisive creativity and control in the duels that matter. England exit at the semifinal stage and will feel they were close, especially after a second half that had chances to build pressure. Messi’s 8.0 Sofascore Rating and two assists headline the night, while Bellingham’s 6.6 shows how hard the midfield battle was.

For fans tracking the World Cup 2026 season, Sofascore offers the full context in one place. You can review player heat maps, team momentum, xG graphics and every Sofascore Rating from Atlanta. It is the easiest way to relive the semifinal and prepare for the final. Keep an eye on the live match page to follow lineup news and in-game ratings when the trophy is on the line. The semifinal set the tone. Now the season’s biggest match awaits.