Argentina beats England 2-1 with late goals, faces Spain in final amid Falklands banner row
A late double from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez overturned Anthony Gordon's opener, sending the holders into Sunday's final against Spain. Post-match, players displayed a 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner, echoing the 1982 war and risking FIFA disciplinary action.
Match recap
Argentina reached a second consecutive World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in Atlanta. The first half was a physical, cagey affair with only two notable attempts: a John Stones header wide from a Declan Rice free-kick in the 33rd minute, and a long-range Enzo Fernández strike that sailed just over Jordan Pickford's bar five minutes later. Both sides prioritised defensive solidity, and the half ended goalless.
England struck first after the break. In the 55th minute, Morgan Rogers crossed to the far post and Anthony Gordon finished into an empty net. Argentina responded by pushing high, and Pickford was forced into a double save from Julián Álvarez early in the half. The pressure eventually told. Fernández equalised in the 85th minute, and deep into stoppage time Lautaro Martínez fired the winner at 90+2 to complete the turnaround.
- Intense physical start, few clear chances in the first half-hour
- Stones header wide from a Rice free-kick
- Fernández long-range shot just over Pickford's bar
- Gordon scores for England after Rogers cross, 1-0
- González header saved by Pickford from Messi cross
- Fernández equalises for Argentina, 1-1
- Lautaro Martínez scores the winner, 2-1
- Argentina players unfurl 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner
Falklands banner and FIFA probe
Immediately after the final whistle, Argentine players unfurled a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentine"), the Spanish name for the Falkland Islands. The gesture is likely to attract FIFA disciplinary action. In 2014, the governing body fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after players displayed the same message before a friendly against Slovenia, ruling it a breach of regulations on political statements and team misconduct.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel amplified the message on social media.
It wasn't just another match. The Falklands are Argentine. They banned us from bringing them to the field, but they forgot we carry them in our blood and hearts.
Days before the semi-final, Villarruel had said the game was about "putting the invaders in their place." Players also sang chants referencing the islands and Argentine football icons Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Historical weight
Argentina and England carry a rivalry rooted in the 1982 Falklands War. The conflict lasted 74 days after Argentina's military junta invaded the British overseas territory. It killed 655 Argentines, 255 British servicemen and three islanders. Four years later, the two nations met in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico. Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal and then the "Goal of the Century," leading Argentina to a 2-1 win. He later said it felt like beating a country, not just a football team.
Final against Spain
Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday 19 July at 22:00. It is the first time the reigning world champion meets the European champion in a World Cup final. Spain, who won Euro 2024, beat France 2-0 in their semi-final. The third-place match between France and England kicks off earlier the same day.
