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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

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Source: SBS News


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Watch: England v Argentina semi-final highlights

45 +3'

England wins a free after James goes down. It was just in front of the Argentina bench, who are up on their feet in frustration.

England puts in a cross, which is deflected out for a corner, and the half-time whistle is blown.

Looks like Kane is arguing it should be taken but we're already in the fourth minute of stoppage and the referee isn't having any of it.

— Miles Proust

45 + 2'

England enjoy a spell of possession in Argentina's half but can't find a way through their defence.

Argentina win possession after the offside flag goes up.

— Miles Proust

Three minutes stoppage

Three minutes of stoppage time in this first half.

— Miles Proust

42' - Another yellow

Lisandro Martinez picks up a yellow after a grab on Rogers.

— Miles Proust

38' - Argentina chance

Anderson picks up a yellow for a challenge on Messi.

It's played short, with Messi's eventual shot blocked.

Fernandez's long-range attempt just clears the cross-bar.

Argentina's best chance so far.

— Miles Proust

36' - Another England chance

Big chance for England, after winning another free just outside the box, when Bellingham is kicked from behind.

James whips in a curling cross, which Martinez palms away. It bobs around in the box before Argentina finally clears.

Nine fouls for Argentina so far.

— Miles Proust

33' - Chance England

Chance for England, after winning a free when Fernandez brings down Bellingham.

Rice whips it into the box, finding Stones, who heads it just wide of the near post.

It's the first attempt at goal at either end.

Meanwhile, the English fans are belting out Hey Jude.

— Miles Proust

28'

Play resumes with Pickford giving it away after a poor clearance.

Alvarez tries passing it to Messi, but he's unable to control it. Out for a goal kick.

Meanwhile, English coach Thomas Tuchel is blowing up on the sidelines, with the fourth official copping an earful.

Looks like he's angry about no foul being given to Mac Allister for bringing down Rogers.

— Miles Proust

24'

Bellingham draws a foul after a late challenge on Mac Allister.

Argentina play it short, with Simeone winning Argentina's first corner after the cross is blocked by Spence.

Messi whips it in a dangerous cross, but Simeone is penalised for putting hands on pickford.

And we're off to a drinks break.

— Miles Proust

20'

A nice spell from England, as they play it across to the right flank.

Rogers plays it on to James on the overlap, whose low cross is pounced on by Martinez.

— Miles Proust

The history of 'it's coming home'

In case you were wondering....

— Samantha Jonscher

16'

Bellingham is brought down by a slide tackle, and there are words exchanged with Paredes, but the English player laughs it off.

According to ESPN insights, there have been six combined fouls in the opening ten minutes, tied for the most in any game this tournament (the other being France-Sweden).

— Miles Proust

12'

We're already up to about foul four or five.

Rogers was brought down with Enzo Fernandez, while there was also an off-ball tussle between Anderson and an Argentine player.

— Miles Proust

Harry Kane on World Cup final

The English captain opens up.

— Samantha Jonscher

6'

England win another free after Simeone brings down Anderson again.

It's played back to Pickford who puts it long to the right flank, with England winning the first corner after the cross is blocked.

Rice puts it high but it's headed out of danger.

— Miles Proust

3'

There's an early confrontation between the two sides with Anderson going down after a late challenge by Enzo Fernandez.

Paredes drew a foul a minute earlier for a shove on Bellingham.

This could be a long game.

— Miles Proust

Argentina fans out in force

Joyous scenes at the Royal Melbourne where Argentine fans have turned out in numbers.

A large corwd for people in argentine jerseys look towards a screen
Source: SBS / Pranjali Sehgal

— Samantha Jonscher

Kick off!

And we're underway in Atlanta, with Argentina kicking off.

A reminder, you can watch the match live and free on SBS and SBS On Demand.

— Miles Proust

Both sides are out for national anthems

Both teams are out on the pitch at Atlanta Stadium for the national anthems.

It's a full-house at the indoor 68,000-seater venue as we approach the 3pm local time kick-off.

Atlanta police said enhanced security measures were in place given the animosity between the two sides.

England v Argentina: Semi Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
It's a full house at Atlanta Stadium. Source: Getty / Hector Vivas

— Miles Proust

One change for Argentina

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has made one change to his starting lineup, with Giuliano Simeone replacing Rodrigo De Paul on the wing.

Argentina.png

— Miles Proust

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