How Lionel Messi, Argentina added to improbable World Cup comeback history with latest thriller vs. England

Argentina may just have the soccer gods on its side at the 2026 World Cup.

The defending champions were a known threat to win it all coming into the biggest World Cup in history — but with Lionel Messi dominating the tournament early and Argentina cruising in the group stage, they didn't face much adversity.

In the knockout round, everything has changed. Argentina has continually been the team you can't count out, once again using a stunning comeback on Wednesday to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinals, now due for a second consecutive final appearance vs. Spain.

Here's a look at Argentina's magical World Cup comeback vs. England in the semifinals and how it added to the country's run of come-from-behind performances.

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How Argentina came back against England

On paper, England vs. Argentina carried everything a high-stakes World Cup matchup could have: star power in Messi, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, a rivalry that dates back for decades in the World Cup, and of course, a trip to the finals on the line.

It lived up to the hype, first through high tensions in the first half. While things remained scoreless at halftime, it was evident that the two sides were playing a potential all-time classic.

England finally struck first in the 55th minute, with Anthony Gordon appearing to be a hero for his country. Giving England a 1-0 lead, he put the country one step closer to returning to the World Cup throne.

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 15, 2026

But Argentina has made spectacular comebacks look routine in the 2026 World Cup. The threat of Messi scoring or England surrendering its lead was lingering into the late second half.

Enzo Fernandez equalizer vs. England

In the 85th minute, it materialized. Enzo Fernandez scored on a beautiful strike, sending thousands of fans in attendance into a frenzy. Argentina had its equalizer.

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 15, 2026

Lautaro Martinez scores game-winner vs. England

England's collapse happened quickly — Argentina wasn't done, not needing extra time to pull the semifinal comeback off.

In the 91st minute, Lautaro Martinez became the hero after a second Messi assist, leaping into the air to get his head onto Messi's pass. Leaving the Atlanta crowd stunned, Martinez and Argentina began celebrating, only needing a few more minutes to close it out after trailing 1-0 through over 80 minutes.

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 15, 2026

MORE: Inside the history of tension between Argentina, England 

Argentina World Cup comebacks

Wednesday's comeback was not the first Argentina thriller in this World Cup. In total, per the Fox broadcast, the team has scored 12 goals after the 75th minute at the 2026 World Cup.

Here's a look at all the back-and-forth matches they've played in recent weeks.

Overcoming Cape Verde's equalizers, Round of 32

After cruising against Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage, Argentina was an established World Cup favorite going into the Round of 32. But Cape Verde, a significant underdog, game them a run for their money.

Messi scored in the 29th minute to open the scoring, yet Cape Verde found an equalizer in the 59th minute. Even a Lisandro Martinez goal in the 92nd minute couldn't shut the door for an Argentina win — with Cape Verde's backs against the wall, Sidny Lopes Cabral tied it at two.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026

The game-winner wound up going down as an own-goal for Cape Verde's Diney Borges after a corner kick from Messi; Argentina survived the massive scare.

While it wasn't technically an Argentina comeback, it was one of the best games of the 2026 World Cup.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026

3-2 comeback win over Egypt, Round of 16

Perhaps the best game of the entire tournament came in the Round of 16 when Egypt got out to a 2-0 lead over Argentina, seemingly on its way to eliminating the defending champions. Messi and his squad had other plans.

After Mostafa Zico's goal for Egypt in the 67th minute made it 2-0, Argentina had a deficit to overcome in a brief amount of time. It didn't matter.

Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute, and Messi followed just four minutes later with the equalizer.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Fernandez was the hero to cap the comeback in the span of 14 minutes, scoring to make it 3-2 and helping Argentina advance.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

2-1 win over England, semifinals

Now, Argentina has done it again. After trailing 1-0 vs. England for around 30 minutes, with their backs against the wall, the defending World Cup winners pulled off another stunner.

Fernandez and Martinez scored in the span of around seven minutes, flipping the script on England in a longtime rivalry — and instead of England having a chance to win its first World Cup since 1966, Argentina will have its shot at going back-to-back.

MESSI AND ARGENTINA ARE ON TO THE FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/y2IffDYWW5

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

MESSI AND ARGENTINA DO IT AGAIN!!! pic.twitter.com/BMN62o64IL

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

MORE: Full England vs. Argentina history, head-to-head World Cup matches