FIFA World Cup 2026: "I dreamed it," says Lautaro Martinez on his match-winning goal against England in semifinal
Atlanta, July 16
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez expressed happiness after his match-winning goal inspired Argentina to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal on Wednesday in Atlanta, saying he "dreamed it," according to the FIFA website.
The result sent Argentina into the World Cup 2026 final, where they will face Spain on Sunday, July 19 (local time), while England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 came to a heartbreaking end.
With the game poised at 1-1 in the regulation time, it was Lautaro's goal in the 92nd minute that gave Argentina the win. After the match, he said he had dreamed of scoring the winning goal and was delighted that his prediction came true. He praised Enzo Fernandez's equaliser and said Argentina's victory showed the team's strength and character.
"I dreamed it [the goal], I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] that I was going to score. I told him that I was going to come on and I was going to win it. And it fell to me. Enzo scored a great goal too, and now that I'm calmer, I can tell you this team keeps showing what it's made of," Lautaro Martinez said as quoted by the FIFA website.
He added that England lost intensity after an hour, allowing Argentina to control possession and create chances.
"They [England] got tired. They pressed for 60 minutes. After that they had nothing left. They started when they found the goal. Then they dropped back, and that gave us more calm when it came to moving the ball. We made the pitch wide, and in the end we got the two goals, and after three and a half years we're back playing a World Cup final," he said.
In the match, England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina responded with sustained pressure. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating limited chances in the first half. Argentina's victory ended England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. The Three Lions will face France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina will meet Spain in the final on July 19 (local time).
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an England fan, this was tough to watch. They created chances but couldn't finish. Gordon's goal was brilliant, but after 60 minutes they ran out of steam. Argentina deserved it. But Southgate needs to rethink the team's fitness—you can't dominate for an hour and then collapse.
Argentina showed real character! When Enzo scored that equalizer, I knew something special was coming. And then Martinez's dream goal? Wow! Spain will be tough in the final, but with Messi's leadership and this team's spirit, Argentina can definitely win it.
I'm impressed by how Argentina controlled the game in the final 30 minutes. England's high press worked for a while, but they couldn't sustain it. Martinez's confidence is infectious—telling his teammate he'd score and then doing it! That's the kind of belief every team needs. Sad for England though.
Incredible match! Argentina's comeback was pure drama. But I wish more teams would focus on developing young talents like Martinez did in their academy systems. India's football future depends on investing in youth.
That goal was written in the stars! Martinez dreaming it and then making it happen—what a moment! Argentina's team spirit is unmatched. They fight till the end. Spain should be worried.
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