Julian Alvarez's 112th-Minute Golazo Sends Argentina Past England and Into the Final

Some semi-finals are settled by a moment of genius, and this was one of them. With Argentina and England locked together and extra time ticking away, Julian Alvarez produced a strike of breathtaking quality in the 112th minute to send the reigning champions into the 2026 World Cup final with a 2-1 victory.

A Moment of Magic in the 112th Minute

The goal itself was worthy of any final. Collecting the ball outside the England penalty area with the game seemingly drifting towards penalties, Alvarez found a yard of space and unleashed an unstoppable effort that arrowed beyond the goalkeeper. It was the kind of strike that decides tournaments, delivered at the precise moment his team needed it most.

How the Semi-Final Unfolded

The match had been a tense, finely balanced affair, with both sides trading blows and neither able to establish lasting control. England pushed hard and had their moments, but Argentina's experience and composure under pressure told in the decisive phases. When the game moved into extra time, it felt destined for a shootout until Alvarez intervened.

England's Heartbreak

For England, it was a devastating way to bow out. They had matched Argentina for long stretches and will feel they were only a moment away from the final themselves. Instead, they must dust themselves down for a third-place playoff against France, with the disappointment of coming so close still raw.

Argentina March On

Argentina, meanwhile, march on to the final, where Spain await. Their ability to grind out results and produce brilliance when it matters most has become the hallmark of this side, and in Alvarez they have a forward capable of turning any game in an instant.