16/07/2026 06:05 - Deportes
On July 15, 2026, a date forever etched in global football memory, Argentina, the reigning world champions, pulled off a miraculous comeback against England at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Winning 2-1, Argentina secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup Final against Spain. Goals from Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez in the 92nd minute silenced the 'Three Lions' and sparked worldwide euphoria.
According to an analysis by the Spanish newspaper Marca, a staggering statistical fact explains England's downfall. From the 55th minute, when Anthony Gordon scored the 1-0, until the 92nd minute with Lautaro's goal, England held a mere 12% of ball possession. Argentina, with an overwhelming 88%, completely besieged their opponent. In football terms, possession is the time a team controls the ball, and this number reflects how the squad managed by Thomas Tuchel retreated excessively.
The German coach was heavily criticized by English football legends. Harry Kane admitted feeling devastated, noting that after their goal, it seemed they only tried to hold on. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen agreed that Tuchel's defensive decisions cost the team dearly, as they ended up playing with six defenders on the pitch.
The winning goal for Argentina has an almost magical context. As detailed by the Argentine portal La Nueva, citing a TyC Sports video, Lautaro Martínez entered the pitch in the 81st minute replacing Nicolás Tagliafico. Surprisingly, the 'Bull' had not touched the ball during his entire time on the grass. His first and only contact came in the 92nd minute, when he rose into the air to head in a heavenly cross from Lionel Messi, sealing the definitive 2-1. A perfect touch at the exact right moment.
The match's impact transcended the pitch and echoed across social media, as reported by CNN. Millie Bobby Brown, star of Stranger Things, attended the stadium to cheer for England and expressed her pride despite the loss. Singer Liam Gallagher (Oasis) congratulated Argentina, stating that 'the best team won.' From the Argentine side, singer Nicki Nicole posted images wearing the albiceleste jersey, while producer Bizarrap praised Rodrigo De Paul from the stands. Even the official account of the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a message of pride and encouragement to keep their heads high after the elimination.
The world's leading media outlets reflected Argentina's heroics, as compiled by Infobae. Italy's Corriere della Sera titled 'Argentina never dies,' highlighting the comeback in the final 7 minutes. In France, L'Equipe spoke of 'another epic comeback,' while in England, The Guardian described the result as 'incredibly brutal.' In Spain, Marca anticipated a 'Finalissima' against La Roja, praising what they consider 'the best team in the world.' Bild in Germany titled it 'Pure disordered madness,' a play on words with Messi's last name.
With this triumph, Argentina once again demonstrates its courage and love for the shirt. The squad managed by Lionel Scaloni is preparing to face Spain in the final to be played on Sunday in New Jersey. The whole world awaits a match that promises to be historic. Let's go Argentina!
Alfredo S. Quiroga
