Argentina Downs England to Reach World Cup Final, Sets Up Clash With Spain

(WS News) – Argentina booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after edging past England 2-1 in Wednesday’s semifinal, setting up a title showdown against Spain on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A Repeat of an Old Rivalry, With Bigger Stakes

The two sides had already met earlier in the knockout rounds this tournament, but Wednesday’s encounter carried the weight of a final berth. Argentina, chasing back-to-back titles after their previous triumph, ground out the win to keep their bid for a repeat crown alive. England’s run, meanwhile, ends one step short of the final, following eliminations of all three co-host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States — earlier in the knockout stage.

Spain reached the final by beating France 2-0 a day earlier, extending a tournament run that has seen them concede sparingly through the knockout phase. Spain last lifted the trophy in 2010, and a win this weekend would give them a second star.

Final Set for Sunday

The final kicks off Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. at MetLife Stadium, with Argentina looking to defend their title and Spain aiming to add a second World Cup to their history. A third-place match between England and France is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 in Miami.

Both semifinal results capped a knockout stage that had already eliminated several tournament favorites earlier in the competition, with all three World Cup host nations bowing out before the final four.