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According to a report by the Evening Standard on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has explained what he believes was the turning point in his team’s dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, saying his players sensed a loss of confidence from the Three Lions after they took the lead.
England looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave them the lead early in the second half. However, Argentina mounted an impressive comeback as Enzo Fernandez equalised before substitute Lautaro Martinez scored a stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the final against Spain.
Reflecting on the match, Scaloni admitted England initially caused Argentina problems but said his players noticed a shift in their opponents’ mindset after the opening goal.
“We were under pressure for a while, but the opponent doubted themselves,” Scaloni said. “We smelt blood and went for it. We all felt it.”
He added that once England adopted a more defensive approach, Argentina believed the momentum had swung in their favour. “There was a vacuum inside (England’s) goal. The ball went in after hitting the post twice,” he said.
Argentina’s substitutes proved decisive in the comeback, with Lautaro Martinez coming off the bench to score the winning goal. Rodrigo De Paul and Gonzalo Montiel also made valuable contributions as the South American side increased the pressure during the closing stages of the match.
The victory sends Argentina into a second successive World Cup final, where they will face Spain as they aim to defend their title and claim a fourth World Cup trophy.
Argentina will now focus on Sunday’s final against Spain, while England will take on France in the third-place play-off following another heartbreaking semi-final defeat.
