England led. Then Messi got the ball. Twice, in the space of seven minutes, he found space in the England box and picked out a cross — and twice an Argentina head finished it. Argentina 2-1 England, in Atlanta, with both goals coming after the 85th minute. It's the kind of comeback that makes you understand why, every time he gets the ball, something in the stadium tightens — like everyone in the ground knows what's coming before it happens.
Anthony Gordon had given England the lead just after the hour. For a long stretch, that looked like it might be enough to send England to their first World Cup final since 1966. Then Enzo Fernández headed home a Messi cross in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martínez did the same two minutes into stoppage time. Argentina are through to a second straight World Cup final — this time against Spain, on Sunday.
All orders over $150 AUD ship free across Australia. The Argentina jersey and Messi's F50 boots both clear that threshold on their own.
How Argentina Turned It Around
Gordon's goal, in the 55th minute, came from a quick England transition — Morgan Rogers cut the ball back and Gordon tapped it home. For most of the next half hour, Argentina looked short of ideas against a well-organised England back line.
Then, with 85 minutes gone, Messi picked up the ball wide, drove at England's defence, and whipped in a cross that Enzo Fernández met with a header to level the game. Two minutes into stoppage time, it happened again — Messi found space, delivered another cross, and Lautaro Martínez rose to head Argentina in front. Two assists, seven minutes apart, from a 38-year-old who has now scored 8 goals at this tournament and pushed his all-time World Cup goals tally to 21 — still the outright record. Argentina hold on. Full time: 2-1.
Wear Albiceleste Blue Ahead of the Final — Jerseys In Stock
adidas Argentina 26 Home Jersey — White / Icey Blue / Light Blue
The shirt on the back of the team that just fought back from a goal down in a World Cup semi-final. adidas' 2026 home replica construction, in the classic Albiceleste blue and white.
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adidas Argentina 26 Away Jersey — Black / Lucid Blue / Blue Burst
Argentina's away kit for the 2026 tournament, in black with lucid blue and blue burst detailing. Stock on this one is very limited heading into final week — worth grabbing now if your size is up.
Shop Now →The Boots Behind Both Assists — Messi's adidas F50
Messi plays in adidas F50s. Soccer World stocks two versions right now: his own "El Último Tango" special edition, and the latest F50 HYPERFAST Elite colourway with broader size availability.
adidas F50 Messi Elite FG — "El Último Tango" Special Edition
Messi's own special edition F50 — the boot he wore to those two assists. Stock is extremely limited (one pair left, US 10 only), so this is more grab-it-now than browse-later if it's your size.
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adidas F50 HYPERFAST ELITE FG — Solar Turbo / Core Black / Gold Metallic
Same speed platform as Messi's special edition, in the latest F50 colourway with more sizes in stock. Haloskin+ upper, Halocage+ TPU frame, firm ground outsole for natural grass.
Shop Now →Shop Argentina Gear & Messi's F50 Boots
Free shipping on all orders over $150 AUD across Australia.
Shop World Cup Gear →What's Next
Argentina face Spain in the World Cup 2026 final on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium — a rematch of styles as much as teams, Spain's system against Argentina's talisman. Two very different roads got each side there.
Catch up on how both finalists arrived here:
- Spain 2-0 France — Jersey & Yamal's Boots In Stock
- World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals — Jerseys & Boots In Stock
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score in Argentina vs England?
Argentina won 2-1. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute; Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th and Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in the second minute of stoppage time, both goals assisted by Lionel Messi.
Is this Argentina's second straight World Cup final?
Yes. Argentina won the World Cup in 2022 and have now reached back-to-back finals, facing Spain on Sunday 19 July.
What boots does Messi wear?
Messi plays in adidas F50 boots. Soccer World stocks his "El Último Tango" special edition (extremely limited stock) and the F50 HYPERFAST Elite in Solar Turbo / Core Black / Gold Metallic, both $350 AUD.
Does the Argentina jersey qualify for free shipping?
Yes. Both the Argentina 26 Home and Away jerseys are $150 AUD, meeting Soccer World's free shipping threshold on their own — no code needed, applied automatically at checkout.
