Messi’s Late Goal Lifts Argentina Past England in World Cup Semifinal
Lionel Messi's late-game heroics secured Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta, crushing England's hopes of reaching the final for the first time since 1966 and extending their 60-year World Cup drought.
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 15, 2026 —
Atlanta, GA – Lionel Messi delivered a decisive blow late in the match, leading Argentina to a 2-1 triumph over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal played in Atlanta. The victory eliminates England from contention for the final, dashing their aspirations of reaching the championship match for the first time since their historic win in 1966.
The loss marks a significant continuation of England’s extended World Cup drought, now reaching 60 years without reaching the final. Messi’s late-game heroics proved to be the deciding factor in a tightly contested semifinal that saw both nations battling for a spot in the final.
The specific details of the goals, including the timing of each score and the identities of the other goal-scorers, were not provided in the summary. The sequence of events leading to Messi’s game-winning goal and the final scoreline were the key outcomes highlighted.
England’s departure from the tournament means their quest to add another World Cup title to their 1966 victory will continue, with this latest semifinal exit adding to their long wait. The focus now shifts to the other semifinal and the ultimate final, where Argentina will compete for the sport’s most prestigious international trophy.
Story summarized from the original created by Sean Gregory on time.com, see more information here.
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