Two of the greatest footballing nations on earth. One match. Everything that's happened over the past five weeks comes down to Sunday in New Jersey.
Yesterday's Results
The second semifinal delivered exactly what the rivalry promised — and then some. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in Atlanta in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, and the manner of it will haunt England for years. Reuters has the full report.
Anthony Gordon put England in front shortly after half-time, and for a long stretch it looked like Tuchel's side would hold on and reach their first World Cup final since 1966. Then Tuchel switched to a back five to protect the lead — and Argentina smelled blood. Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute with a fierce drive off a short corner worked through Messi, and Lautaro Martínez headed home the winner in the 92nd minute from a Messi cross. The Guardian's match report captures it perfectly: England were so close, and then they weren't. Messi, 39 years old, provided the assist for both goals in the dying minutes. That is simply not a normal thing to happen.
Combined with Tuesday's result — Spain 2-0 France, confirmed by AP News and ESPN — the final is set. Spain were composed and clinical against France, shutting down Mbappé and leaving Les Bleus without an answer. The semifinal picture is now complete: the two best teams in the tournament, by any honest accounting, will meet on Sunday.
Today's Fixtures
There are no matches today. The tournament takes a breath before the weekend's finale.
Saturday, July 18 brings the third-place playoff: France vs. England in Miami Gardens at 5 p.m. ET. That's a consolation match with real edge — two proud nations, both hurting, both with something to prove.
Sunday, July 19 is the one that matters: Spain vs. Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kickoff 3 p.m. ET. Wikipedia confirms the fixture and venue.
Around the Tournament
The Falklands banner. Argentina's post-match celebrations against England came with a political edge that FIFA is now examining. According to BBC Sport, Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action after their players celebrated the semifinal win with a banner in support of their country's claims to the Falkland Islands — a provocation aimed squarely at England that has drawn a formal response from the UK, with the AP reporting that Britain has urged FIFA to investigate.
Messi and the final. Reuters reports that Argentina captain Lionel Messi provided assists for both Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the dying minutes against England — a reminder that at 39, he remains the tournament's most decisive player when the stakes are highest. His record against England, his assists in the 86th and 92nd minutes, the banner, the comeback: this is the kind of story the World Cup was made for.
Trump to attend the final. The White House has confirmed that President Trump will be at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the Spain vs. Argentina final, according to Reuters. It adds another layer of spectacle to what is already the biggest single sporting event on the planet — and a fitting capstone to a tournament hosted across three nations.
Sunday is Spain vs. Argentina at MetLife. Lamine Yamal against the ghost of Messi's greatest tournament. Watch for whether Spain's collective machine can finally contain the one player who has refused to be contained.