Chelsea’s Captain and Chelsea’s Vice-captain faced off in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, in a match that had many more bigger storylines around it, but in the end will be likely remembered for yet another scintillating comeback from the never-say-die boys of Argentina.
Or, if you’re England, will be remembered for going far too defensive far too early after taking the lead through Anthony Gordon just a few minutes after the restart. The knives are already out for Thomas Tuchel; he will take
the blame as the manager of course.
Reece James and Enzo Fernández both started, but there was little actual football played in the first half, with every challenge full blooded, every decision greeted with an outpouring of emotion, every action met with an equal an opposition reaction. That only one yellow card was issued to either side in that first 45 was almost as big of a surprise as the game finishing with all 22 players still on the pitch. Credit to the referee, I suppose, for managing to keep a lid on things.
Things perhaps might have been different had England not scored ten minutes into the second half (Morgan Rogers setting up Gordon after England won the second ball from a long direct kick forward), but having taken the lead, the Three Lions tried to see out the remaining 35 minutes (plus stoppage) against a team who had scored at least twice in each of their last twelve games.
In fairness, England almost did it. But in the 85th minute, Enzo took the space offered just outside the box and produced one of this better long range efforts to beat an otherwise excellent Jordan Pickford. From there, the only question was whether Argentina could carry that momentum and find the winner … which they duly did seven minutes later, Lionel Messi picking out Lautaro Martínez at the far post.
James had been taken off by then (in fact, he departed with the match still at 1-0); Enzo would complete the full 90. Neither Trevoh Chalobah nor Valentín Barco featured for their respective sides.
So, for Argentina it’s on to Sunday’s final against Spain. England will play France in the third place playoff the day before, because the World Cup still insists on holding that meaningless exhibition.
England will be disappointed, to be sure, but it feels like Argentina just refuse the lose. Is it written in the stars for them (again)?
