Can Argentina retain the World Cup? Messi’s Argentina stuns England to reach final

Can a team defend a World Cup title? Argentina will find out at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. The defending champions—holders of the 2026 trophy—face Spain in the final. But first, Lionel Messi’s magic showed up in Atlanta on Wednesday night.

England’s Anthony Gordon put them ahead with a 55th-minute goal. For 30 minutes, it looked like Argentina’s run might end. Then Enzo Fernandez equalized in the 85th minute. Seven minutes later, Lautaro Martinez struck—the 92nd minute, the moment that sent 68,239 fans into shock.

Final score: 2-1 to Argentina, and they’re through to their second straight World Cup final. For Messi, it’s his third World Cup final appearance—a club that only Cafu has matched.

Spain await on Sunday. They’re the European champions. And here’s something remarkable: Messi has never faced them in a competitive match before. At 39 years old, he finally will.

The challenge is immense. Brazil last won back-to-back World Cups in 1962. Argentina would become only the second nation to achieve that feat.

England’s tournament ends here. Their last World Cup final came in 1966, when they won it all. Next up: a third-place play-off against France in Miami on Saturday, managed by Thomas Tuchel.