England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup semifinal Highlights: Two late goals in testy contest take Argentina into another final

Key Updates

• Full time! Argentina wins 2-1!
• 91:28 Goal for Lautaro Martinez! 2-1
• 84:54 Goal for Enzo Fernandez! 1-1
• 54:24 Goal for Gordon! 1-0
• First half ends! 0-0
• No shots in first 30 minutes – a record
• Tackles and more tackles
• Squad news

• July 16, 2026 04:08 Here’s the match report
  

  England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup: Reigning champion rallies to beat tough English side, enters final again

  Argentina defeats England 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup semifinal, advancing to face Spain in the final.

• July 16, 2026 02:53 Another semifinal loss for the Three Lions
  

• July 16, 2026 02:45 Match stats

  Eng arg match stats.png

• July 16, 2026 02:42 England knocked out

  It wasn’t to be for England as they couldn’t “get football to come home”. 

  Meanwhile, 39-year-old Lionel Messi still has a chapter to write in his illustrious career as the defending champions will take on arguably the best team in this World Cup, Spain in the final. And we will be there to weigh in on the proceedings. Over and out.

• full timeJuly 16, 2026 02:33 Full time! Argentina wins 2-1!

  Second Half ends, England 1, Argentina 2.

  Its going to be Spain vs Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Final. 

  England will rue their tactical changes after going ahead. They sat back after Anthony Gordon scored and even replaced the goal scorer. Their defensive mindset after being ahead, finally did them in.

  As for Scaloni’s Argentina, they have yet again shown heart to ride themselves out of crisis into victory.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:33 101:07 Free Kick Won

  Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:32 101:07 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Nico O’Reilly (England).

• July 16, 2026 02:31 Argentina keeping another record

  Argentina in line to keep up its historical record of never losing in a World Cup Semi final. The defending champions are in line to get into yet another final

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:30 98:37 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Jude Bellingham (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:30 98:37 Free Kick Won

  Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• July 16, 2026 02:28 Goals from outside the box
  

• July 16, 2026 02:27 Messi’s assists

  Two goals for Argentina and both of them were assisted by Messi. The 39-year-old GOAT proving his credentials yet again on the big stage

• July 16, 2026 02:27 95:29 Substitution

  Substitution, England. Marcus Rashford replaces Djed Spence.

  Last throw of the dice by Tuchel as he sends in two forwards, Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney for two defenders

• July 16, 2026 02:27 95:12 Substitution

  Substitution, England. Ivan Toney replaces John Stones.

• yellow cardJuly 16, 2026 02:25 93:36 Yellow Card

  Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) is shown the yellow card.

• goalJuly 16, 2026 02:23 91:28 Goal for Lautaro Martinez! 2-1

  Goal! England 1, Argentina 2. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross.

  An unmarked Mac Allister gets a gilt-edged chance at goal from the edge of the box but his shot hit the post. Argentina recovered possession through Messi. His right footed cross is inch-perfect, as it finds the head of Lautaro Martinez and the Inter Milan doesn’t miss. Argentina score and go ahead 2-1!

  Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Semi Final – England v Argentina – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. – July 15, 2026Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez scores their second goal IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Dale Zanine

• July 16, 2026 02:23 91:18 Attempt Blocked

  Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nico González.

• July 16, 2026 02:22 90:10 End Delay

  Delay over. They are ready to continue.

• half timeJuly 16, 2026 02:22 90:04 Added Time

  Fourth official has announced 9 minutes of added time.

• July 16, 2026 02:21 88′ Start Delay

  Delay in match because of an injury John Stones (England).

  Argentina on the ascendance. Even Mick Jagger shows his displeasure as he shakes his head at the state of affairs

• goalJuly 16, 2026 02:16 84:54 Goal for Enzo Fernandez! 1-1

  Goal! England 1, Argentina 1. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lionel Messi following a corner.

  Enzo Fernandez tries his luck with a searing long range strike that looked like going in but was pushed over the bar by Pickford. He was not to be denied in his second long range attempt after a move that began with Messi’s corner. Argentina equalise with a spectacular GOAAAL!

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 02:16 84:28 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Jordan Pickford.

• July 16, 2026 02:16 84:27 Miss

  Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Julián Alvarez.

• July 16, 2026 02:14 83:09 Attempt Blocked

  Attempt blocked. Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Enzo Fernández.

• July 16, 2026 02:13 81:59 Substitution

  Substitution, England. Nico O’Reilly replaces Declan Rice.

• July 16, 2026 02:13 81:47 Substitution

  Substitution, England. Dan Burn replaces Reece James because of an injury.

• July 16, 2026 02:13 Map of Gordon’s goal
  

• July 16, 2026 02:13 81:29 End Delay

  Delay over. They are ready to continue.

• July 16, 2026 02:12 Argentina on the attack

  Argentina showing much more purpose as England seems much slower on attack when they have the ball.

  Captain Kane throws his large frame at the ball trying to defend against a cross as England snuff out another testing attack by England.

• July 16, 2026 02:12 80:45 Start Delay

  Delay in match because of an injury Reece James (England).

• July 16, 2026 02:12 80:34 Substitution

  Substitution, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez replaces Nicolás Tagliafico.

  Meanwhile Lautaro Martinez comes in for Tagliafico as Scaloni rings in more attacking changes

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:12 80:14 Free Kick Won

  Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 02:12 80:14 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Nico González (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 02:10 78:24 Attempt Blocked

  Attempt blocked. Morgan Rogers (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

• off sideJuly 16, 2026 02:09 76:55 Offside

  Offside, Argentina. Nico González is caught offside.

  Another attack by Argentina with a close shot at goal, but this effort was ruled offside

• July 16, 2026 02:08 England on the defence

  England is now on defensive mode as Argentina seeks a breakthrough

• July 16, 2026 02:08 75:04 Miss

  Attempt missed. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.

• July 16, 2026 02:08 75:02 Post

  Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) hits the left post with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul with a cross.

  The Albiceleste almost got the equaliser through a header from Mac Allister but the post comes to England’s rescue.

• July 16, 2026 02:07 75:43 Attempt Saved

  Attempt saved. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Jordan Pickford (England). Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul with a cross.

• July 16, 2026 02:03 72:14 End Delay

  Delay over. They are ready to continue.

• July 16, 2026 02:03 71:58 Substitution

  Substitution, Argentina. Nicolás Otamendi replaces Lisandro Martínez.

• July 16, 2026 02:03 71:50 Substitution

  Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina.

• July 16, 2026 02:03 71:27 Substitution

  Substitution, England. Ezri Konsa replaces Anthony Gordon.

  Strange substitution. The goalscorer Gordon has been taken off for Ezri Konsa

• July 16, 2026 02:02 71:57 Substitution

  Substitution, Argentina. Rodrigo De Paul replaces Giuliano Simeone.

• July 16, 2026 02:00 68:30 Start Delay

  Delay in match for a drinks break.

• July 16, 2026 02:00 68:12 Attempt Saved

  Attempt saved. Nico González (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Jordan Pickford (England). Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross.

  Messi conjures up magic as he sends in a dangerous cross that finds Nico Gonzalez’s head, but whose header is snuffed out by Pickford’s instant reflex action and England parry a bullet. Score remains 1-0 in favour of England as the teams head to their second hydration break

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:59 68:16 Free Kick Won

  Djed Spence (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 01:59 67:29 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Elliot Anderson.

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 01:58 66:35 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Declan Rice.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:58 66:10 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Morgan Rogers (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:58 66:10 Free Kick Won

  Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• July 16, 2026 01:58 65:58 Attempt Blocked

  Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Declan Rice.

• July 16, 2026 01:57 65:45 Attempt Saved

  Attempt saved. Declan Rice (England) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Emiliano Martínez (Argentina). Assisted by Reece James.

• July 16, 2026 01:55 63:52 Substitution

  Substitution, Argentina. Nico González replaces Leandro Paredes.

  Argentina rings in its first change as coach Lionel Scaloni sends in Nico Gonzalez to replace Paredes

• July 16, 2026 01:55 England wary of committing fatal errors

  England will be wary of making the mistake of sitting back now with the one goal lead as matches like this can come down to the wire. But that is what is seemingly happening as Messi gets more involved in one-twos in the box to find an advantage

• July 16, 2026 01:53 Barcelona’s new star – Gordon

  Anthony Gordon, FC Barcelona’s newly acquired $80 million winger, is just the second English player after Rashford to score a goal for England apart from Kane and Bellingham in this World Cup

  

  Barcelona signs England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle

  Barcelona signs Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for €80 million, fulfilling the winger’s dream to play for the LaLiga giants.

• July 16, 2026 01:51 60:28 Miss

  Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Leandro Paredes.

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 01:49 56:58 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Djed Spence.

• goalJuly 16, 2026 01:46 54:24 Goal for Gordon! 1-0

  Goal! England 1, Argentina 0. Anthony Gordon (England) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Morgan Rogers with a cross.

  England break through with Anthony Gordon ghosting in behind Argentina’s defence to score off a brilliant pass from Morgan Rogers after Declan Rice initiates attack on the right side

  Anthony Gordon of England scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match between England and Argentina

• July 16, 2026 01:46 53:38 Miss

  Attempt missed. Leandro Paredes (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Giuliano Simeone.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:44 52:31 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Jude Bellingham (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:43 52:31 Free Kick Won

  Cristian Romero (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

• yellow cardJuly 16, 2026 01:43 50:46 Yellow Card

  Cristian Romero (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  Some nifty footwork by Romero within the Argentina box as the Albiceleste showcase some gritty defence. But merely seconds later, he clumsily fouls Bellingham to earn a yellow card.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:42 50:43 Free Kick Won

  Jude Bellingham (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:42 50:43 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Cristian Romero (Argentina).

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 01:39 46:51 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Jordan Pickford.

• July 16, 2026 01:39 46:41 Attempt Saved

  Attempt saved. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Jordan Pickford (England). Assisted by Giuliano Simeone with a headed pass.

• July 16, 2026 01:38 46:50 Miss

  Attempt missed. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

• July 16, 2026 01:35 Second half begins

  Second Half begins England 0, Argentina 0.

  As the second half commences.. here is a list of celebrities who were spotted on screen during the telecast – Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, England football royalty David Beckham and John Terry. Former England Coach Fabio Capello as well.

  True to the nature of the game so far.. the referee orders a retake of the kickoff after second half commences

• July 16, 2026 01:27 19 fouls in first half!

  A whopping 19 fouls have been committed in the first half, with Argentina committing 12 and England, 7. Captures the feisty nature of the game so far. Perhaps by design for Argentina and England are reacting to the physicality.

• July 16, 2026 01:23 First half stats – all square

  Statistics at half-time show Argentina leading in possession (55% to England’s 45%) but this was largely sterile with sideways passes as the Argentines sought to slow the game down and gain control.

  eng arg first half.png

• half timeJuly 16, 2026 01:18 First half ends! 0-0

  First Half ends, England 0, Argentina 0.

  As the first half comes to an end, England might feel better off than Argentina. They nullified Messi mostly and won free kicks in dangerous areas. Conversely, Harry Kane’s involvement was also minimal as Argentina managed to disrupt England’s fluidity in the final third and nearabouts.

  All to play for in the second half!

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 01:18 48:10 Corner

  Corner, England. Conceded by Enzo Fernández.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:18 47:39 Free Kick Won

  Reece James (England) wins a free kick on the right wing. Dangerous play by Leandro Paredes (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:18 England coach preparing for half time

  Tuchel taking down notes. Almost writing an essay, as he readies himself for the half-time lecture

• off sideJuly 16, 2026 01:17 46:41 Offside

  Offside, England. Morgan Rogers is caught offside.

• half timeJuly 16, 2026 01:17 45:17 Added Time

  Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.

• July 16, 2026 01:15 Chaos over control

  This game continues to be a more stop-start, less tactical and more physical one compared to the other semifinal between Spain and France. More chaos than control

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:12 42:26 Free Kick Won

  Elliot Anderson (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:12 42:26 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 01:12 Argentina slowing down the game

  Argentina, even after a couple of good attacks, are slowing down the game to get more possession after a period of time when England displayed better intent.

• yellow cardJuly 16, 2026 01:11 41:13 Yellow Card

  Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  He is the latest to be booked after trying to haul back Morgan Rogers

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:11 41:10 Free Kick Won

  Morgan Rogers (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:11 41:10 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Lisandro Martínez (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 01:09 37:50 Attempt Blocked

  Attempt blocked. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Leandro Paredes.

  Messi initiates a series of one-twos, launches a blocked shot. Enzo Fernandez went in for a long range shot off the rebound which is just off target. Argentina looking better now

• July 16, 2026 01:08 37:53 Miss

  Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high following a set piece situation.

• yellow cardJuly 16, 2026 01:07 36:49 Yellow Card

  Elliot Anderson (England) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:06 36:05 Free Kick

  Reece James chooses to go for goal from his free kick and Martinez’s clearance results in a scramble that leads to an Argentina counter with the ball finding the Latin American nation’s talisman Messi. 

  Messi tried to make lemonade out of it but was fouled in the English half. Anderson gets a yellow card for his efforts tying to stymie Messi

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:06 36:05 Free Kick Won

  Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

• July 16, 2026 01:06 Extremely physical so far

  Tooth and nail fight for the ball, as players not seeming to mind being physical in a stop start game, even after the hydration break

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:05 34:44 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Nahuel Molina (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:05 34:44 Free Kick Won

  Jude Bellingham (England) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  Bellingham earns another free kick in the left side of the box as Molina fouls him unnecessarily

• July 16, 2026 01:05 No shots in first 30 minutes – a record

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• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:04 33:16 Free Kick Won

  Marc Guéhi (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:04 33:16 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Giuliano Simeone (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 01:03 32:34 Miss

  Attempt missed. John Stones (England) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Declan Rice with a cross following a set piece situation.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:01 31:21 Free Kick Won

  Jude Bellingham (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  Industrious effort by Bellingham as he earns a freekick after being brought down by Romero just outside the box

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:01 31:21 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:00 29:54 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Anthony Gordon (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 01:00 29:54 Free Kick Won

  Giuliano Simeone (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• July 16, 2026 01:00 Messi drops deep

  Messi coming in deeper to get more of the ball and to orchestrate as the game goes on

• July 16, 2026 01:00 Messi the oldest in a semifinal
  

• July 16, 2026 00:59 Bellingham kept quiet… so far

  Bellingham silent so far, but he is known to be deadly killer who will catch the opponent by surprise, and Argentina cannot risk writing him off

• July 16, 2026 00:55 24:21 Hydration break

  Delay in match for a drinks break.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:55 24:05 Free Kick Won

  Jordan Pickford (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:55 24:05 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Giuliano Simeone (Argentina).

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 00:54 23:09 Corner

  Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Djed Spence.

  First corner for Argentina as Spence concedes one via a clearance. 

  Argentina has been lethal from crosses into the six yard box but this time, nothing comes of it because of a foul in the box. Teams now head to a much need hydration break after a physical joust

• July 16, 2026 00:53 England comfortable on the ball

  England enjoying a good spell of possession despite some close marking by the Argentines.

  England able to coordinate in progression, getting better the touches in the attacking third, while Argentina runs after cleared balls

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:52 22:15 Free Kick Won

  Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:52 22:15 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Jude Bellingham (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:52 20:58 Free Kick Won

  Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:52 20:58 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Morgan Rogers (England).

• off sideJuly 16, 2026 00:50 20:08 Offside

  Offside, Argentina. Lionel Messi is caught offside.

• July 16, 2026 00:48 Argentina’s kit today

  Argentina aren’t wearing their traditional Albiceleste (white and blue) and are instead wearing a dark blue jersey and shorts today. Superstition?

  Thus far the jersey change hasn’t yielded a seamless attack for Argentina, who are not really passing smoothly and advancing

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:47 15:44 Free Kick Won

  Anthony Gordon (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:46 15:44 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Giuliano Simeone (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 00:44 Tackles and more tackles

  Rumble in the Jungle is one way you can describe this game as tackles fly left, right and centre with the English at the receiving end of most of them.

  English coach Thomas Tuchel is already at the fourth official’s face seeking reparations

  England’s Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane clash with Argentina’s Cristian Romero, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez and Giuliano Simeone

• off sideJuly 16, 2026 00:43 12:58 Offside

  Offside, Argentina. Giuliano Simeone is caught offside.

  Lovely trivela (outside of the foot) pass from Messi in possibly his first significant action of the game but Simeone was offside.

• July 16, 2026 00:42 11:57 End Delay

  Delay over. They are ready to continue.

• July 16, 2026 00:42 11:09 Start Delay

  Delay in match (Argentina).

• July 16, 2026 00:41 Staccato play

  Stop-start game so far with fouls galore. Meanwhile Messi is yet to be involved in the game with nearly 10 minutes done.

  Argentina struggling to find a sequence of passes and unable to get out of their half

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:40 9:23 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Elliot Anderson (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:40 9:23 Free Kick Won

  Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:39 8:59 Free Kick Won

  Elliot Anderson (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:39 8:59 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Giuliano Simeone (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:39 8:12 Free Kick Won

  Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:39 8:12 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Reece James (England).

• July 16, 2026 00:39 Very physical in the early minutes

  Typical physical contest reminiscent of earlier Argentina-England encounters in the past, so far.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:37 7:26 Free Kick Lost

  Dangerous play by Marc Guéhi (England).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:37 7:26 Free Kick Won

  Julián Alvarez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• cornerJuly 16, 2026 00:37 6:33 Corner

  Corner, England. Conceded by Alexis Mac Allister.

  Arsenal’s Declan Rice takes the first corner of the game for England but it only results in a scramble that fizzles out

• July 16, 2026 00:36 Early squabble

  England starting off with a high press in the early period. But there’s an early needle in the contest as Gordon is brought down.

  The English players are on to the referee.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:36 5:48 Free Kick Won

  Elliot Anderson (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:36 5:48 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Giuliano Simeone (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:34 2:32 Free Kick Won

  Elliot Anderson (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:33 2:32 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:31 1:10 Free Kick Lost

  Foul by Leandro Paredes (Argentina).

• free kickJuly 16, 2026 00:31 1:10 Free Kick Won

  Jude Bellingham (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

• July 16, 2026 00:30 Match kicks off

  First Half begins.

• July 16, 2026 00:29 Today’s referee

  The main referee in the game is Ismael Elfath of the United States, who plies his trade in Major League Soccer in the U.S. Coincidentally, Messi now plays for Inter Miami in the MLS

• July 16, 2026 00:26 Form

  In the last five matches played, England has four wins and a draw while Argentina has five wins on the trot

• July 16, 2026 00:25 Playmaker Messi

  For Argentina, Messi has not just scored the highest number of goals (8) but has also created the most chances of any player in the World Cup so far (21). In terms of chances created per 90 minutes, as well, he leads all players with 3.6.

• July 16, 2026 00:24 Argentina has never lost a WC semifinal

  Kane’s boys aren’t just taking on the defending champions; they are going up against an Argentina that has never lost a semifinal game in its World Cup finals history

• July 16, 2026 00:22 Kane vs Messi

  This match will see the two captains (Kane and Lionel Messi) going mano-a-mano to win the Golden Boot. Messi leads with eight goals and Kane has six. 

  Kane’s compatriot, the Real Madrid prodigy Jude Bellingham also has six goals to his name. In fact Kane and Bellingham have scored 12 of the 13 goals that England have registered, with Marcus Rashford scoring the only other goal.

• July 16, 2026 00:18 Premier League representation

  While Argentina and England have been arch-rivals with a controversial history both on and off the field (with political overtones), this contest has a significant Premier League presence (14 out of the 22 starters)

• July 16, 2026 00:17 Squad news

  Major changes to the lineups – England has gone in with Rogers (instead of Madueke) and Reece James (instead of Konsa), both of whom injected life into the English attack in the game against Norway.

  For Argentina, Simeone (son of the Atletico Madrid coach) makes a start over Rodrigo De Paul on the right wing

• July 16, 2026 00:12 Harry Kane’s record
  

• July 16, 2026 00:10 Welcome to our live coverage

  Welcome to The Hindu’s coverage of the second semifinal featuring Argentina and England. 

  The two teams have played a total of 14 games with England leading 6-2, with six draws..

  In World Cup games alone, England leads 3-2 against Argentina.

• July 15, 2026 23:06 Lineups

  Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

  England’s lineup – Jordan Pickford (GK), Reese James (RB), John Stones (CB), Mark Guehi (CB), Dedj Spence (LB), Declan Rice (MF), Elliott Anderson (MF), Morgan Rogers (RW), Jude Bellingham (MF), Anthony Gordon (LW), Harry Kane (FW)

  Argentina’s lineup – Emiliano Martinez (GK), Nahuel Molina (RB), Cristian Romero (CB), Lisandro Martinez (CB), Nico Tagliafico (LB), Giuliano Simeone (RW), Leandro Paredes (MF), Alexis Mac Allister (MF), Enzo Fernandez (LW), Lionel Messi (FW), Julian Alvarez (FW)

Published – July 16, 2026 12:09 am IST