The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now one game away from its final act, and Argentina has joined Spain in the showpiece after another dramatic night of knockout football.

England faced Argentina in Atlanta with a place in the final on the line, and for long spells, it looked like Thomas Tuchel’s side had found a way to survive one of the tournament’s biggest tests.

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Anthony Gordon gave England the lead early in the second half, steering in a Morgan Rogers cross in the 55th minute.

At that point, England had something to protect, and Argentina was being forced into one of their most uncomfortable matches of the tournament.

However, Argentina is still Argentina, and Lionel Messi is still Lionel Messi.

The defending champions came alive late. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed in the winner in stoppage time, with Messi supplying the assist that sent Argentina into another World Cup final.

From a Barcelona perspective, this was a strange night emotionally.

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One current Barça player produced the moment that almost sent England through. One eternal Barça icon helped rip that dream away.

Anthony Gordon vs Argentina

Anthony Gordon scored the only goal for England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Anthony Gordon’s World Cup ended in heartbreak, but he can leave the tournament with his head held high.

The Barcelona winger started up front with Harry Kane, and his goal in the 55th minute looked like it might become one of England’s great World Cup moments.

His finish was exactly what Barça fans want to see from him: sharp movement, clean timing and calm execution inside the box.

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Gordon is often praised for his running and directness, but this was a different kind of action. It was about arriving in the right place and turning a half-opening into a goal.

Wide forwards at Barça cannot live only on pace. They need end product, and Gordon showed in the biggest match of his career that he can deliver in a decisive moment.

However, things did not go well for the Three Lions after that. After going ahead, they became too passive.

England had only 12% possession between Gordon’s goal and Argentina’s winner, which says a lot about how much pressure they invited.

The former Newcastle United man will now come to Barcelona to join his new club, and all things considered, he has had a very good tournament.

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Lionel Messi vs England

Messi and Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup final. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi did not score against England, but he still shaped the ending as only he can.

For much of the first hour, England kept him quieter than Argentina would have wanted.

They crowded central spaces, denied him easy combinations and made sure he had to move away from the zones where he usually controls games.

However, the great players do not always need 90 minutes of dominance. Sometimes they only need the final stretch.

As Argentina chased the game, Messi drifted wider and started finding the angles England had spent so long trying to close.

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Eventually, he changed the game in his team’s favour, providing an assist for Enzo’s equaliser before delivering a sumptuous right-footed cross to set up Lautaro Martinez for the winner.

For Gordon, the dream is over. For Messi, one last World Cup chapter remains open.