Atlanta's final act as a World Cup host city belonged to Lionel Messi. In front of a capacity crowd of 68,239 at Atlanta Stadium, the Argentine great assisted on two late goals as the defending champions came from behind to beat England 2-1 in Wednesday's semifinal, booking a place in Sunday's final against Spain.
The rivalry edge showed up almost immediately. Within two minutes, a Messi foul and a retaliatory challenge from Enzo Fernandez on England's Elliot Anderson sparked shoving between the sides — and Argentina's supporters had already made themselves heard by chanting over England's national anthem. The bad blood simmered through a scoreless first half before the match finally opened up.
England drew first blood in the 55th minute, Anthony Gordon finishing a sweeping cross from Morgan Rogers. The lead lasted roughly half an hour. Then Argentina reached for the same script that saved them against Egypt in the round of 16: Fernandez bent a 25-yard curler into the net off a Messi assist to level, and in stoppage time Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner — also served up by Messi, who collected another FIFA Man of the Match honor.
The traveling faithful never doubted, exactly — they suffered, which they insist is the point. Supporters who had followed the team through its Atlanta matches described the comeback ethos as the essence of Argentine football, the thing that unites a country across its differences. With final tickets reselling near $7,800, many said watching Messi author another classic in person here was the trip's real prize.
England's side of the story was bleaker: a first final in 60 years slipped away after the team retreated into its shell while protecting the lead. Frustrated fans pointed at manager Thomas Tuchel's conservatism and a squad that left creators like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer at home. The Three Lions get France in Saturday's third-place match; Argentina, now 2-0 in knockout games at Atlanta Stadium, will chase the first back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
For Atlanta, the whistle closed an eight-match run that filled the stadium, the Fan Fest and downtown itself. If Argentina lifts the trophy Sunday in New Jersey, two of the tournament's signature comebacks will have happened here — a fitting final line on the city's World Cup resume.
Original reporting: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2026-07-16)