Argentina Reach Another FIFA World Cup Final
Argentina secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on Wednesday. The win came in heartbreaking fashion for England as Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in stoppage time, sending Lionel Scaloni’s side into another World Cup final.
The defending Copa America champions will now face Spain in Sunday’s highly anticipated final. It will be the first World Cup final in history featuring the reigning European champions against the reigning Copa America champions.
A Late Comeback Seals the Victory
England looked set to reach the final after taking the lead. However, Argentina refused to give up.
Lionel Scaloni’s team found the equalizer before Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal deep into stoppage time. According to World Cup records, Argentina became the latest team ever to come from behind and win a World Cup semi-final in normal time.
The victory also means Argentina have reached back-to-back World Cup finals for only the second time in their history. Their previous consecutive appearances came in 1986 and 1990.
Gary Neville’s Comments Before the Match
Before the semi-final, former England defender and football pundit Gary Neville questioned Argentina’s defensive partnership.
Neville described Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez as:
“The best, worst centre-half pairing in the world.”
His comments quickly became a talking point among football fans before kickoff.
Cristian Romero Responds Strongly
After helping Argentina reach another World Cup final, Cristian Romero responded to Neville’s criticism in a post-match interview with DSports.
Romero did not hide his feelings.
“The only thing I hope is that when I retire, I am not that stupid. Hopefully I won’t criticise a player or anyone.”
He also explained that every player gives everything for the national team.
“At the end of the day, we are doing our best for our national team. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t. We are just happy to be in another World Cup final.”
Romero added that representing Argentina means everything to the squad.
“We are making history. Wearing this shirt is something huge, and we feel its importance like no one else.”
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- https://www.fifa.com/
Lisandro Martinez Also Reacts
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez also addressed the criticism.
He said the team has become used to outside opinions and prefers to answer critics through performances on the pitch.
“We’re used to people always talking about us. It seems like they enjoy doing it, and we respond on the pitch. That’s it, always with respect.”
His response reflected the confidence inside the Argentina dressing room after another memorable World Cup performance.
Argentina Eyes Another Historic Title
Argentina now stands just one victory away from lifting another FIFA World Cup trophy.
Their final opponent, Spain, enters the match as the reigning European champions, setting up one of the biggest international football clashes in recent years.
With Lionel Scaloni’s side showing resilience, confidence, and experience throughout the tournament, fans can expect a thrilling battle in the World Cup final.
Final Thoughts
Cristian Romero’s response to Gary Neville has added extra drama to Argentina’s journey to the World Cup final. While Neville questioned Argentina’s defense before the match, Romero and Lisandro Martinez answered with their performances on the field.
Now, Argentina’s full focus shifts to the final against Spain, where they will have the chance to create another unforgettable chapter in football history.
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