Martinez: England's defensive shift after leading key to Argentina's comeback win

Argentina's World Cup dream is alive after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against England in the 2026 semifinals. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez revealed that England's tactical shift after taking the lead proved to be their undoing, creating the space Argentina needed to seize control.

Despite falling behind to Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute strike, the reigning champions mounted a stunning comeback. Enzo Fernandez leveled the score in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martinez secured their spot in the final with a goal in second-half injury time. They will now face Spain for the coveted trophy.

“

It was crazy. I thought we played very well in the first half. We dominated them. We knew how strong they are on set pieces and how physical they are. I have been playing in England for 16 years so I know their character very well.

Martinez, who has extensive experience playing in England, noted that Argentina had been the more dominant side throughout the first half. He explained that England's tendency to drop deep after scoring, coupled with their reliance on set pieces, played into Argentina's hands. "They scored from a cross with only one player in the box. But we have the experience to come back," Martinez told BBC Sport. "They started to defend deeper and that gave us an advantage to exploit the space in their defense. Lionel Messi's presence on the wing was also key to our game."

The Aston Villa goalkeeper emphasized the team's composure despite conceding the first goal. He believes the players' collective experience allowed them to remain confident and capitalize on England's shift in strategy. The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated final against Spain.

“

They scored from a cross with only one player in the box. But we have the experience to come back. They started to defend deeper and that gave us an advantage to exploit the space in their defense. Lionel Messi's presence on the wing was also key to our game.