JAKARTA - Of all the special moments Argentina experienced at the 2026 World Cup, the victory over England in the semi-finals has a big meaning.
Lionel Messi provided two assists in the final minutes at the Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to clinch a 2-1 victory and a place in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
After the match, Messi, who is trying to lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title, acknowledged the importance of the victory for one of the team's main driving forces, their fans.
"Even though it was only one game, we had some special moments. The fans wanted this victory more than anything else because it means facing England in the semi-finals and reaching another World Cup final," Messi said.
The rivalry between Argentina and England at the 2026 World Cup has two hot spots on the pitch - Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in 1986 and David Beckham's red card when the two teams met in 1998 - and one off the pitch, namely the 1982 conflict between the two countries around the British-ruled Falkland Islands at the southern tip of Argentina.
Both the 1986 and 1998 matches were won by Argentina, but the 2026 World Cup semi-final looks set to go the other way after Anthony Gordon scored to put England ahead early in the second half.
However, the match turned when Messi passed the ball to Enzo Fernandez who fired a brilliant long-range shot to equalize.
Then, Lautaro Martinez headed the ball from the captain's cross about six minutes later to ensure a remarkable comeback.
"This team never stops trying. We played football with real determination. We put pressure on them in their half of the field and showed that we can win in normal time, without having to go to extra time."
"No Argentine player wants to lose this game. The whole 2026 World Cup has been extraordinary, especially considering the importance of this semi-final against England. No one wants to lose today, regardless of the other context, but that's the reality," Messi said.
Lautaro Martinez entered the field in the 81st minute, when his team was 0-1 behind, but four minutes later Fernandez scored. In the second minute of injury time, the Inter Milan striker scored the winning goal through a header that will be recorded as one of the greatest goals in Argentina's history.
"It's very difficult to speak right now, but I will try not to cry because I've cried a lot there."
"It's amazing what we've achieved. We keep moving forward, and that's the biggest satisfaction we can get. We won a very difficult victory. The first half was very heavy. They pressed us very well."
"In the second half, they scored a goal, then played defensively. We were able to control the game more calmly, keeping possession of the ball."
"When our goal was conceded, with the support and spirit of the fans, everything became easier. We managed to score the second goal in injury time. After that, we felt very happy," said Lautaro Martinez after the match.
Next, Argentina will face Spain in the final, where the Tango Team will face a team that has only conceded one goal in seven 2026 World Cup matches.
"They are opponents with great players. So, now we need to rest and recover as much energy as possible to prepare for the final as well as possible."
"However, we can also enjoy it because what we achieved was difficult, reaching the final after three and a half years of being champions is not a trivial matter. So, we can fully enjoy this," said Lautaro Martinez.
As another form of tribute to their country - and the tensions between England and Argentina - the La Albiceleste players raised a banner after the victory that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which means "the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina".
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