Argentine media react as comeback victory seals place in World Cup final

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The Independent

16 July 2026

Argentina

are in the World Cup final for the second time in a row

after a stunning late comeback denied

England

a first appearance there in 60 years.

The

Three Lions

had led through

Anthony Gordon

’s 55th-minute opener but the Argentines’

remontada

was sparked by

Enzo Fernandez

in the 85th minute, before

Lautaro Martinez

added the winner in extra time, sparking wild scenes of jubilation both in Atlanta and back home in

Both moves were created by captain and talisman

Lionel Messi

, who was given licence to roam as

sat back - with devastating consequences - late in the second half.

While Thursday’s front pages in the UK were full of doom and gloom their opposite numbers in

obviously relished the win, with multiple outlets emphasising the “madness” of their late comeback.

Argentinian daily Clarin plastered a photo of a gleeful Enzo Fernandez and

celebrating with the headline “Miracle of football”, alongside the caption: “Now for the fourth” as the team bids for a fourth world title and second in succession.

La Nacion again had Fernandez and Messi front and centre in a picture of the team celebrating after the full-time whistle, with the headline “Heroic finalists”.

open image in gallery

Argentinian daily Clarin called it the 'miracle of football' (Clarin)

La Nacion celebrated its 'heroic finalists' (La Nacion)

It wrote: “Again driven by heart, in seven unforgettable minutes at the end the team turned the match around to beat

2-1.”

Spanish sports paper

Marca

was equally pleased with the result, with its front page headlined: “The most beautiful ending in the world”.

“Madness”, it added, “Argentina to meet

Spain

after another heroic comeback.”

Argentina will play

in Sunday's final (Olé)

And Buenos Aires-based sports daily Olé, which again centred on Messi celebrating, also highlighted the “madness”, with its headline a play on the ‘Hand of God’.

The Buenos Aires Herald meanwhile paid tribute to its “bravehearts”.

Argentina will face European champions

in Sunday’s final, while

were condemned to playing France - who lost 2-0 to

La Roja

in Tuesday’s other semi-final - in the consolation third-place play-off.

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