ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi and Argentina are heading back to the World Cup final. Messi assisted on two late goals and Argentina rallied for a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday in Atlanta. La Albiceleste will face Spain in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is the defending champion and is seeking its fourth title, having also won in 1978 and 1986. England will meet France on Saturday in the third-place match.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni sings the national anthem before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni sings the national anthem before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The flags of England and Argentina are seen before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The flags of England and Argentina are seen before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (22) scores their second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (22) scores their second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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England’s Harry Kane, right, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
England’s Harry Kane, right, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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England’s Jude Bellingham (10) challenges for the ball with Argentina’s Nahuel Molina (26) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) challenges for the ball with Argentina’s Nahuel Molina (26) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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England’s Reece James (24) battles for the ball with Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico (3) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
England’s Reece James (24) battles for the ball with Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico (3) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
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England’s Harry Kane reacts after a collision during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
England’s Harry Kane reacts after a collision during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) and England’s Harry Kane (9) hug after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) and England’s Harry Kane (9) hug after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) fails to stop a shot by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) as he scores his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) fails to stop a shot by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) as he scores his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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England’s Harry Kane (9) and England’s Jude Bellingham (10) are dejected at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Harry Kane (9) and England’s Jude Bellingham (10) are dejected at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez hugs teammate Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez hugs teammate Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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England’s Anthony Gordon (18) scores their opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) scores their opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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England’s Nico O’Reilly (3) and Dan Burn (15) battle for the ball against Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez (23) and Nicolás Otamendi (19) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
England’s Nico O’Reilly (3) and Dan Burn (15) battle for the ball against Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez (23) and Nicolás Otamendi (19) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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England’s Jude Bellingham (10) shoots on goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) shoots on goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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England’s Anthony Gordon (18) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1), John Stones (5) and Marc Guehi (6) react during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1), John Stones (5) and Marc Guehi (6) react during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi controls the ball next to England’s Elliot Anderson during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi controls the ball next to England’s Elliot Anderson during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (22) scores their second goal past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez (22) scores their second goal past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Nico Gonzalez, right, celebrate at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina as England’s Harry Kane walks behind, in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Nico Gonzalez, right, celebrate at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina as England’s Harry Kane walks behind, in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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