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Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Lautaro Martinez was in tears after heading Argentina to their second World Cup final in a row after their latest remarkable comeback at the 2026 edition.
The holders were going out on Wednesday after Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute opener but England then went defensive and Argentina surged forward, Enzo Fernandez levelling on 85 before Martinez headed in Lionel Messi's cross in stoppage time.
The three-times winners needed extra-time to shrug off Cape Verde and were 2-0 down to Egypt after 79 minutes of the last 16 before rallying for a 3-2 victory. Extra-time was also required to get past Switzerland, before the real drama against old rivals England in Atlanta secured a meeting with Spain on Sunday.
"I cannot believe it, it is so emotional here," Inter Milan's Martinez said while crying.
"When my father bought me my first football boots, I dreamt of scoring this goal. I think of my mother who, when I went to Racing, she always made my bed, that is more worthwhile than anything."
The South Americans' belief grew and grew despite being a goa; down to the English, with Alexis Mac Allister twice hitting the post. The fact the champions went for a winner after equalizing late on spoke volumes.
"It is unthinkable, unbelievable what we have achieved," Martinez added.
"We have just kept fighting, we put them under so much pressure. After their goal, England dropped back and we had more space and more chances to overturn the result."
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Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates victory with teammates after the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
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England's Harry Kane and Argentina's Lionel Messi battle for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
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Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores his side's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
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Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) in action with England's Anthony Gordon (L) and Elliot Anderson during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final soccer match between England and Argentina, at Atlanta Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
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