Overview
- Argentina overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat England 2-1, with Lionel Messi supplying the assist for Enzo Fernández’s 85th-minute equaliser and the stoppage‑time cross for Lautaro Martínez’s winner.
- England had led through Anthony Gordon but coach Thomas Tuchel’s defensive substitutions and a deep block after the goal drew sharp criticism from former players and pundits for surrendering momentum.
- Several Argentina players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” after the match, prompting UK politicians to call on FIFA to open a probe because tournament rules bar political messages on the field.
- Reports with limited sourcing say Jude Bellingham was involved in a post‑match confrontation with Argentina substitute Valentín Barco, a claim that has not been fully corroborated by multiple outlets.
- The win keeps Argentina on track to try to defend their World Cup title against Spain on Sunday, and it underlines Messi’s continued influence at 39 as he became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semi‑final.