SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
This blog has now ended

Argentina through to World Cup final after dramatic 2-1 win over England — as it happened

For Argentina and England fans, this World Cup semi-final has 60 years of heated history behind it.
England v Argentina: Semi Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
Argentina heading to the final thanks to two very late game goals. Source: Getty / Buda Mendes

Published

Updated

Source: SBS News


Skip to live blog content

PINNED

Watch: England v Argentina semi-final highlights

78' - Another chance Argentina

Another big chance for Argentina, with Gonzalez's header going across goal. But the offside flag is up.

— Miles Proust

Highlight: Pickford's epic save

Argentina came close to closing the gap, but Pickford was ready.

— Samantha Jonscher

Watch: Gordon's goal

Here's Gordon's goal from the first half.

76' - Argentina hits the post!

Mac Allister times a run perfectly, heading in a cross but it hits the post! They were within an inch of equalising then.

England under immense pressure.

— Miles Proust

Highlights: Messi does his thing

Some fine football out there as the Argentine legend's team works to even the score.

— Samantha Jonscher

72' - More subs

Play resumes, with Argentina making a triple sub.

Nicolas Otamendi, Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo De Paul replace Lisandro Martinez, Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina.

England swaps goal-scorer Anthony Gordon for Ezri Konsa.

— Miles Proust

69' - Great save from Pickford!

A big chance for Argentina after Messi whips in a curling cross. Gonzalez heads it from point-blank range, but Pickford makes a right-handed save.

It comes after back-to-back Argentine corners, with England's defence holding up well.

And we're off to a drinks break.

— Miles Proust

66' - Chance England

Rice tries from distance, but Martinez makes the save.

— Miles Proust

England celebrates

Celebrations at Boxport in London.

— Samantha Jonscher

65'

Gonzalez makes an immediate impact, receiving a long ball on the far post which he heads back to the centre.

Stones heads out of danger.

Argentina have really upped the tempo since the English goal.

— Miles Proust

64' - Argentina sub

Argentina make a change, with Paredes coming off for Gonzalez.

— Miles Proust

Bit rough out there

Some of those ... 'tense'... moments from this game's first half.

Going into half-time England had 7 fouls to Argentina's 12.

— Samantha Jonscher

57' - Brilliant Spence tackle

A big chance for Argentina after Simeone charges into the box, but Spence makes a brilliant slide tackle to stop what would have been an almost certain goal.

He timed that perfectly and bounces to his feet in celebration.

— Miles Proust

Gordon finds the breakthrough

That's a brilliant goal, with England playing a long ball up the right flank.

Rice collected the clearance and played it off to Rogers, who crosses it in to the far post, with Gordon there to tap it in. Martinez had no chance, as England found the breakthrough.

— Miles Proust

55' - Goal England!

Anthony Gordon slots in a cross to put England ahead! 1-0 England's way.

— Miles Proust

47' - Chance Argentina

Argentina with an early chance, with Alvarez getting a shot away in the box while under pressure following a long ball.

Pickford gets a palm to it, with Alvarez having another go on a tight angle, hitting the side netting.

It's out for a corner, so it must have come off an English defender, but it doesn't look like there was any contact on the replay.

England clear the cross.

— Miles Proust

English fans out in force

No room to move and plenty of sing-a-long at this England watch party in Melbourne.

CQ Melb 1.png
Source: SBS / QC Bar, Melbourne / @fanzone.au

— Samantha Jonscher

Second half underway

And the second half is underway, with England kicking off.

It's retaken because it was taken before the whistle.

— Miles Proust

Argentine fans keeping the vibes high

The game might not be opening up but this team Argentina watch party in Melbourne is going off.

Argentina watch party
Source: SBS

— Samantha Jonscher

A fiery but frustrating opening half

A fiery but frustrating half from both sides, with the score 0-0.

Messi remained on the pitch as the break was called, having an animated discussion with the referee.

According to OptaJoe, it's the first World Cup match since records began in 1966 not to see a shot in the first half hour.

The first shot didn't come until the 37th minute.

— Miles Proust

Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world