Enzo & Messi, the Malvinas banner & Internet explodes: Argentina break England’s hearts again

Last Updated on 16 July 2026

For the third time in World Cup history, Argentina have eliminated England. Two goals in the final five minutes: Enzo Fernandez from 20 yards in the 85th minute, Lautaro Martinez heading home a Messi cross in the second minute of stoppage time.

That completed yet another miraculous Argentine comeback and sent them to Sunday’s final against Spain. England led with 35 minutes to play. They then sat deep, invited pressure and paid the price in the most agonising fashion imaginable.

And the aftermath to England’s World Cup exit was every bit as dramatic as the match itself.

The Messi show and why England only have themselves to blame

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute. It was a composed finish that rewarded a disciplined, physical first half in which neither side managed a single shot on target before the break. England’s strategy after scoring, however, was immediately obvious.

Deep block, low shape, surrender possession. Argentina wore blue, the same kit they wore in 1986 and 1998 against England, both wins, and came at them relentlessly. Jordan Pickford saved from Nico Gonzalez in the 69th minute, then denied Mac Allister, again.

But England could not clear their lines, could not keep the ball and could not manage the clock. Fernandez’s 20-yard thunderbolt made it 1-1. Then Messi drove to the byline and crossed to the far post: Martinez arriving to head home and send the Argentine thousands into delirium.

“We got too passive after we scored,” Tuchel admitted afterward. “We conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn’t keep the level up.” Kane was equally honest: “For one reason or another, we struggled to keep the ball.”

The “one reason or another” was simple: they stopped trying to win and started trying not to lose. At a World Cup semi-final, against Argentina, with Messi on the pitch, that is never enough.

Social media, Las Malvinas and a night the Internet will not forget

After the final whistle, Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who did not play, unfurled a white banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” on the pitch in front of the cameras. It is a reference to the Falkland Islands, a conflict that hung over this entire match’s build-up.

FIFA launched an immediate investigation. The English internet was not amused. The Argentine internet was delirious.

The conversation around Tuchel’s passive approach after Gordon’s goal dominated English social media for hours and the verdict was near-unanimous.

Then there was Messi. Two assists. Ten assists in the World Cup knockout stage, six more than any other player in at least 60 years. A goal or assist in 11 consecutive World Cup games. At 39 years old.

Scaloni said afterward: “This group never ceases to amaze me.” After five knockout games decided in the final minutes, against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and now England, it is very hard to disagree. They face Spain on Sunday. This Argentina team will not die quietly.