Updated July 15, 2026, 11:23 PM

World Cup Atlanta live updates: Argentina beats England in 2-1 comeback

Traffic, Fan Fest, match day events and what to know.

Argentina fans celebrate outside Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) after Argentina wins the FIFA World Cup game between England and Argentina in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. It’s the last game Atlanta is hosting. Argentina won 2-1. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
Argentina fans celebrate outside Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) after Argentina wins the FIFA World Cup game between England and Argentina in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. It’s the last game Atlanta is hosting. Argentina won 2-1. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

In late second-half action, Argentina scored two goals to beat England in Atlanta’s final World Cup match.

The semifinal game pitted England, seeking to return to the final match 60 years after it won the tournament, against the defending World Cup champions. Argentina now travels to New York New Jersey Stadium, where the team will play Spain in the final game Sunday.

Follow live updates throughout the tournament for information on traffic, the game and events surrounding the matches.

And keep up to date on all things World Cup in Atlanta with our complete Atlanta World Cup guide to see match schedules, Fan Fest details, watch parties, transportation information and more.


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AJC
9 days ago
Gavin Godfrey

FT: Argentina 2, England 1

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal to tie the game during the second half against England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal to tie the game during the second half against England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. ((Jason Getz/AJC))
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (center left) heads the ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (center right, in yellow) for the winning goal during the second half of their FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (center left) heads the ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (center right, in yellow) for the winning goal during the second half of their FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. ((Jason Getz/AJC))

That's a wrap. Argentina wins the rivalry clash 2-1.

Argentina will move on to face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at 3 p.m.

England will go up against France in Saturday's third-place match.


AJC
9 days ago
Alex Nettles

Three Englishmen ponder The Three Lions’ defeat at FIFA Fan Fest

Fans sporting English jerseys grew thinner by the minute at FIFA Fan Fest Wednesday evening as blaring music and Argentine celebrations played them out.

Thomas Tansey and a group of Englishmen remained asking one question — “What went wrong?” — since their team started with the lead.

Matthew Wilkinson, Hamel Patel and Thomas Tansey lament the team's loss on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Matthew Wilkinson, Hamel Patel and Thomas Tansey lament the team's loss on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. ((Alex Nettles/AJC))

“We were very, very excited, but we were worried. And then what we feared, it all came crashing down,” Tansey said.

Tansey said he noticed a swell of English support among Americans, which he enjoyed seeing.

Now comes the flight home. What will Tansey be thinking about?

“I’m going to be asleep. I’ll be thinking ‘what have I done?’” he said.


AJC
9 days ago
Kimberly Johnson

Argentina fans still going ...


AJC
9 days ago
Andre Butso

Somber gathering for England fans

Disappointment is in the air at Hudson Grille near Atlanta Stadium as England supporters remain after the game.

England fans gather after the 2-1 loss to Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
England fans gather after the 2-1 loss to Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. ((Andre Butso/AJC))

AJC
9 days ago
Rod Beard

Staying out late

It happened after Argentina's comeback win against Egypt, and it looks like it's going to happen again. 

Argentina fans are chanting and singing and celebrating another come-from-behind victory after beating England 2-1 and heading to Sunday's championship game against Spain. 

It's a festive atmosphere, and the players are still on the pitch, leading the chants. 


AJC
9 days ago
Andre Butso

Fan Fest fight turns into a dance battle

Madness in the crowd as a fight between fans turns into a … dance battle?

Near the stage at Centennial Olympic Park, fans quickly rushed to create space as a heated altercation broke out. People hit the ground and drinks were thrown.  

But before law enforcement could arrive, the frenzy cleared. Then a fan held up a red card and another started dancing.

Police confirmed no one was escorted from the park.


AJC
9 days ago
Fisher Isbell

Party is just getting started for Argentina fans

Argentina fans in Atlanta have taken to the streets in celebration after La Albiceleste scored two late goals, taking down England 2-1 inside Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. 

Fans are gathered just outside Cosm at Centennial Yards. The crowd has grown substantially in the past 15 minutes, as fans pour out of the nearby stadium. 


AJC
9 days ago
Rod Beard

Here we go again

Another deficit, another comeback.

Argentina again trailed in the second half, and it used a quick-strike offense to post two goals and take the lead, with Lautaro Martinez taking the pass from Lionel Messi and depositing the header into the net. 

Not quite ballgame, but it's getting there. 


AJC
9 days ago
Gavin Godfrey

Argentina take lead, 2-1

Lautaro Martinez puts La Albiceleste up 2-1 two minutes into stoppage time.

Once again, it's Lionel Messi on the assist.


AJC
9 days ago
Rod Beard

Argentina levels it at 1 in 85th minute

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Credit: (Miguel Martinez/AJC)
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores a goal to tie the game in the second half against England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Enzo Fernandez just tied it on an assist from Lionel Messi. 

Fernandez scored Argentina's go-ahead goal against Egypt in Atlanta in the round of 16.