World Cup Final Roster Complete

Kane or Messi: Who Will Join Spain in the World Cup Final?

Substitute Lautaro Martinez headed the ball in during the 92nd minute to send Argentina to the World Cup final. The dream of defending the title lives on.(Bild: AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

What a battle that was in Atlanta! Argentina staged a late comeback in the World Cup semifinal against England, joining Spain in the final. Substitute Lautaro Martinez broke British hearts with his header that made it 2-1 in stoppage time...

This puts Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi on the verge of his second consecutive World Cup title (after 2022). England’s top striker Harry Kane, on the other hand, is in the valley of tears after his dream was shattered.

Tuchel’s first competitive defeat as England manager
In a highly intense semifinal in Atlanta, defending champion Argentina prevailed 2-1 (0-0) over England, coached by German Thomas Tuchel. It was Tuchel’s first competitive defeat as England’s head coach.

The tournament bracket:

England must wait a little longer
While the “Three Lions” must continue to wait 60 years after their only triumph, Messi and Co. will face Spain on Sunday in New York. In front of 68,239 fans, England took the lead through Anthony Gordon (55th minute), but Enzo Fernández (85th minute) and Lautaro Martínez (92nd minute) turned the game around.

Deep disappointment among the English after the final whistle.(Bild: EPA/RONALD WITTEK)

A heated first half: no shots on goal for 30 minutes
The first half was marked by a lot of frantic action, a lot of aggression, and many rough and unsightly challenges. Structured attacking soccer was nowhere to be found, even with a magnifying glass. A sad side note: There wasn’t a single shot on goal in the first 30 minutes. Never before in World Cup history have two opposing teams been as poor in terms of shots on goal as the “Three Lions” and the “Albiceleste.”

The first half was dominated by rough play throughout.(Bild: EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH)

It wasn’t until after the break that the semifinal improved. Argentina got off to a better start with a chance by Julian Alvarez. England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved the shot aimed at the near post (47th minute).

But it was England that broke the deadlock. After a cross from Rogers, Gordon—who is set to join Barcelona—broke free behind his opponent’s back and finished the play.

Anthony Gordon put England ahead.(Bild: AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA)

Argentina remained unfazed by England’s lead
Argentina remained unfazed and sought an immediate response. Messi grew into the game, while England seemed somewhat stifled by their lead, faltered due to a lack of relief, and grew increasingly tired. Gordon left the field, and England subsequently switched to a five-man back line—Argentina’s equalizer was in the air and was bound to come. Fernández took another shot from deep, and Pickford was beaten for the first time.

Unbridled jubilation for Argentina after the equalizer.(Bild: AFP/ELSA)

The “Albiceleste” had the greater stamina
Extra time loomed, but Argentina wasn’t done yet. Another cross sparked the final outburst of joy: Messi found Martínez, who had an easy time of it with his header. It was the final blow for England. After the game, all restraints were cast aside. Argentines and English fans had tears in their eyes—though for different reasons. 

A chorus of whistles and boos during the national anthems
It was already clear during the national anthems of both nations that the World Cup semifinal between longtime rivals England and Argentina was going to be heated. Instead of “God Save the King” and the “Himno Nacional Argentino,” all that could be heard was a loud chorus of whistles and boos.

There was loud booing during both nations’ national anthems.(Bild: AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA)

England will face France on Saturday in the third-place match
In Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, just outside New York City, Lionel Messi and his teammates will now face European champions Spain. The last team to successfully defend its World Cup title was Brazil in 1958 and 1962. For Harry Kane and his English teammates, the tournament will come to an end in the third-place match against France on Saturday in Miami.