Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid was announced only at the start of the tournament.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Djokovic interacts with Messi at the fest.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late goals to snatch a 2-1 ​win over England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) to send Lionel Messi’s reigning champions into the weekend showpiece match against Spain.

England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup semifinal Highlights

Just when England ‌appeared set for victory after Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal, Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got their ​reward as Fernandez levelled before Martinez completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute with Messi providing the pass for ⁠the equaliser and the cross for the winner.

The result added another unforgettable chapter to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, a contest rich in history, emotion and tension from the opening whistle.

For England, dreams of a first World Cup final since 1966, when they enjoyed their only triumph at the global ‌tournament, were dashed in the closing stages, while Argentina celebrated a comeback that kept alive their quest for another world title.

With England inexplicably parked in their own end, an Argentina equaliser felt inevitable and, after waves of late pressure, ‌Fernandez finally broke through in the 85th minute when Messi found him in space on the edge of the box to ‌fire ⁠home from 20 metres past Jordan Pickford into the corner.

Martinez, an 81st-minute substitute, struck the winner early in ⁠added time when Alexis Mac Allister drove a shot off the post that Messi recovered. The 39-year-old talisman drove down the right to send in a brilliant ball for Martinez to head home.

“This is really emotional,” Martinez said. “The first time my dad bought me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal. It ​was really tough today.

“Enzo scored a brilliant goal and ‌I’m confident this team is continuing to show what it’s made of.”

Significant victory for Messi

The victory carried particular significance for 39-year-old Messi, who was featuring in what is widely expected to be the final World Cup of his glittering career.

For England, the defeat was a devastating blow after they matched Argentina for much of a hard-fought contest.

The Three Lions had appeared poised for victory ‌after Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Nicolas Tagliafico’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Declan ​Rice, who sent a through ball to Morgan Rogers.

Gordon popped up at the back post to guide Rogers’ cross with his instep past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, sparking bedlam among the England players and fans.

But Thomas Tuchel’s ⁠side failed to withstand a relentless late assault as Argentina turned the game on its head.

“Just gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans,” England captain Harry Kane said.

“We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went ‌1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on. At this level, it’s not enough.

“Gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears, whatever it is. So to fall short like we did today … just gutted.”

Fiercest rivalries

The semi-final between the two footballing giants needed little added drama, arriving steeped in history and expectation.

One of football’s fiercest rivalries, shaped by iconic World Cup clashes and political undertones, has produced no shortage of memorable moments over the decades.

This latest chapter was no different.

Both teams navigated difficult routes to the last four, relying on resilience, composure and a knack for delivering ‌when it mattered most.

Argentina produced more of the same on Wednesday, as a side that had repeatedly found a way to win when the odds seemed stacked ​against them once again leaned on late-game heroics to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Argentina’s supporters vastly outnumbered England’s, turning the arena into a sea of sky blue and white that made Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium feel more ⁠like La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, with their fans drowning out England’s attempted pre-match rendition of “Sweet Caroline” with a wall of whistles.

Renowned ring announcer ⁠Michael Buffer set the tone before kick-off with his trademark cry of “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

The players appeared to take him at his word.

Tempers flared almost immediately and it took only a matter of minutes for the simmering rivalry to ‌spill over into a series of heated exchanges in a first half that was more notable for robust challenges than genuine scoring opportunities.

The simmering tension produced goals in the second half but after England took the lead they never really threatened again. Argentina ​were left to lay siege to their opponents goal with Fernandez and Martinez striking the blows that led to the final.

Published – July 16, 2026 03:59 am IST

India skipper Suryakumar on his arrival at Ahmedabad on Friday.
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

Updated – July 03, 2024 04:59 pm IST

Published – July 01, 2024 12:32 pm IST

Indian team celebrates with the trophy after defeating South Africa in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

The Indian cricket team won the ICC 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup with a narrow win over South Africa in Barbados on June 29, 2024. It was the national team’s second T20 World Cup title, and the first in 17 years.

Also Read:New beginnings: On India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 win

As the dust settles around the the famous victory, The Hindu delves into the performance of the winning side and the legacy of key individuals, some of whom have left the team.

South African captain Aiden Markram (left) studies the pitch during a practice session ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket, final match between India and South Africa, in Barbados on June 28, 2024.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Not known for handling pressure well on the big stage, South Africa have pulled off close wins in this competition giving them a strong belief that victory is possible from any situation, captain Aiden Markram said ahead of the T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados.

India, a team full of superstars, will have to overcome the pressure of not winning an ICC title since 2013 while South Africa head into their maiden World Cup final having not been in that position ever before.

Ahead of the summit showdown on Saturday, Markram was expectedly reminded about the past when Proteas have crumbled under pressure.

ALSO READ: Revisiting South Africa’s painful past at ICC events

“Probably I just see it as a new game of cricket, to be honest. We all know India’s a great team. Us as a team, as South Africans, have been sort of trending in the right direction the last couple of years, but maybe not progressed in tournaments as far as we would have liked.

“So, an exciting occasion tomorrow against a good opposition in India, but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well,” said Markram.

Both South Africa and India go into the final unbeaten with the former experiencing plenty of bumps along the way.

They barely managed to put it past Nepal and Bangladesh earlier in the competition. Even the low-scoring affair against co-hosts West Indies could have gone either way.

Markram said his players have got a lot of confidence out of those close wins and they won’t settle for a runners-up finish.

“There have been close moments in games that would have probably affected the result and we managed to win those moments.

“To have done them two, three, maybe four times throughout the competition so far has sort of given the team the belief that you can win from any position, which I think is quite important for a team to have that,” said Markram.

India might be overwhelming favourites for the title but South Africa too have a lot going for them.

They are keen to add a fresh chapter to the nation’s chequered history but the schedule has not given them time to think too much about the occasion.

“You play a game, you get on a plane, you fly, you check in at a new hotel and play your next game of cricket the next day. So, I don’t think there’s too much reflecting that happens.

“But it’s more the opportunity that we have of being in a final that sort of excites me quite a bit I think after the competition we will sit back and really appreciate what we’ve achieved so far as a team,” he said.

Markram asserted that irrespective of the result on Saturday, his team is “going in the right direction.”

“But yeah, we’d love to get to our first final and be able to win that first final. And hopefully in the years to come that can break the burden of what a lot of other people are saying about us as a team,” he said.

On the seven-hour delay they experienced in Trinidad due to the closure of runway in Barbados, Markram chose to look at the positives.

“Yeah, we’ve had a couple (in Florida as well). I suppose a lot of other teams have gone through similar things. And we joke about it as a team and say, like, we’re kind of used to it now.

“There’s no point sulking around and making it more miserable than what it might already seem to be. So, it was a slightly longer day yesterday (laughs).”

On the mindset of the team after the semi-final win over Afghanistan, Markram added: “…you say, ‘guys, we’ve still got one more step to go’. So, it’s not driven by coach or by captain. The whole unit sort of feels that and is driven by that.

“…sportsmen are highly competitive people and nobody would want to lose, and especially not lose in a final. So, I think there’s no sense that the guys are satisfied regardless of the result tomorrow. I think there’s still a massive hunger for us to go out and win tomorrow’s game.”