16/07/2026 17:04 - Deportes
July 15, 2026, will forever be etched in global football memory. The Argentine National Team, affectionately known as La Scaloneta (a nickname derived from their head coach, Lionel Scaloni), secured a thrilling spot in the 2026 World Cup Final after defeating England 2-1 in a match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
The game, played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta under a massive security operation with over 1,600 officers, started poorly for Argentina. At the 55th minute, Anthony Gordon put England ahead following a defensive error.
What seemed like a bitter defeat transformed into pure glory. At the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández scored a spectacular equalizer, igniting the albiceleste hope. When the clock struck the 92nd minute, magic happened: Lionel Messi delivered a cross on his first touch of the play, and Lautaro Martínez headed the ball in, sealing a historic comeback.
England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, faced heavy criticism for sitting back after the 1-0. Between the 55th and 92nd minutes, England held only 12% of possession, allowing Argentina to take absolute control and expose their rival's lack of ambition.
A deeply emotional moment occurred after the match. Lionel Messi, playing his first official senior match against England at the age of 39, received a priceless gift: the jersey Diego Maradona wore during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The gift included the message Que lo disfrute desde arriba (Enjoy it from above), connecting two of Argentine football's greatest legends on a magical night.
During locker room celebrations, players displayed a flag reading Las Malvinas son argentinas (The Falklands are Argentine). This refers to the Falkland Islands, a territory claimed by Argentina and a deeply emotional historical topic between the two nations, famously linked to the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals. While it sparked debate in the English press, for the Argentine players and people, it represented pride beyond the sport. In coastal Argentine cities like Mar del Plata, massive street celebrations flooded the avenues in a true popular festival.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM, Argentina will aim for their fourth star at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a colossal venue located just outside New York City with a capacity for 82,500 spectators.
Their opponent will be Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in the other semifinal with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, and featuring rising star Lamine Yamal. The historic match will be broadcast locally in Argentina by TV Pública, Telefe, TyC Sports, and DSports. Let's go Argentina! #WorldCup2026
Alfredo S. Quiroga
