Argentina at World Cup 2026: Every Result, Messi's Goals & Road to the Final
Updated 19 July 2026 — Spain beat Argentina 1–0 (AET) in the final. Ferran Torres 106' — Argentina finish as runners-up.
Argentina finished runners-up at World Cup 2026 — defending champions after Qatar 2022, eliminated 1–0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium. Lionel Scaloni's Albiceleste won Group J with a perfect 9/9 but Ferran Torres ended their bid for a fourth star in the 106th minute.
This is the complete Argentina World Cup 2026 results guide: every scoreline, Messi's 8 goals, comeback wins and links to full match reports.
Argentina 2026 at a glance:
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Group | J — winners (9 pts, perfect) |
| Played | 8 (3 group + 5 knockout) |
| W–D–L | 7–0–1 |
| Goals | 19 scored, 8 conceded |
| Messi | 8 goals — Golden Boot leader |
| Final | Spain 1–0 Argentina (AET) — Torres 106' |
Hub links: World Cup 2026 calendar · Live results · Argentina team profile · Final guide.
Simulate Argentina's title defence → Free World Cup 2026 simulator — replay the Egypt comeback or run Argentina vs Spain in the final.
Argentina World Cup 2026 Results — Full Table
Every Argentina result at World Cup 2026, from Messi's opening hat-trick to the semi-final thriller against England.
| Match | Date | Stage | Fixture | Score | Key scorers (Argentina) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M19 | 16 Jun | Group J | Argentina vs Algeria | 3–0 | Messi 17', 60', 76' |
| M43 | 22 Jun | Group J | Argentina vs Austria | 2–0 | Messi 38', 90+5' |
| M70 | 27 Jun | Group J | Jordan vs Argentina | 1–3 | Lo Celso 19'; Lautaro 31' (pen); Messi 80' |
| M86 | 3 Jul | Round of 32 | Argentina vs Cape Verde | 3–2 (AET) | Messi 29'; Lisandro 92'; OG 111' |
| M95 | 7 Jul | Round of 16 | Argentina vs Egypt | 3–2 | Romero 79'; Messi 83'; Fernández 90+2' |
| M100 | 11 Jul | Quarter-final | Argentina vs Switzerland | 3–1 (AET) | Mac Allister 10'; Álvarez 112'; Lautaro 120+1' |
| M102 | 15 Jul | Semi-final | England vs Argentina | 1–2 | Fernández 85'; Lautaro 90+2' |
| M104 | 19 Jul | Final | Spain vs Argentina | 1–0 (AET) | Torres 106' (Spain) |
Group Stage — Argentina in Group J
Argentina were drawn in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The holders delivered the tournament's only perfect group record — nine points, three wins, nine goals.
Argentina 3–0 Algeria (M19, 16 June)
Lionel Messi opened his World Cup 2026 account with a hat-trick (17', 60', 76') at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. Algeria never threatened; Argentina kept a clean sheet on Matchday 1.
Impact: Immediate statement from the defending champions. Messi tied the Golden Boot race from game one.
Report: Matchday 1 results.
Argentina 2–0 Austria (M43, 22 June)
Messi scored in each half (38', 90+5') at AT&T Stadium, Arlington — a second straight clean sheet. Austria pressed but could not break Argentina's back line.
Impact: Argentina reached six points and effectively secured qualification with a match to spare.
Report: June 22 results.
Jordan 1–3 Argentina (M70, 27 June)
Giovani Lo Celso (19') and Lautaro Martínez (31' pen) put Argentina two up; Mousa Al-Tamari pulled one back (55') before Messi sealed a 3–1 win (80') and a perfect group.
Final Group J standings:
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Argentina scored 8 and conceded 1 in the group — the only goal against came from Jordan.
Report: June 27 results · Group J standings.
Knockout Stage — Argentina's Path to the Final
Argentina's World Cup 2026 knockout run has tested the holders' nerve: extra time vs Cape Verde and Switzerland, a 2–0 deficit comeback vs Egypt and a late semi-final winner vs England.
Round of 32: Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde (AET) (M86, 3 July)
At Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Messi (29') put Argentina ahead before Cape Verde levelled (Duarte 59') and took the lead in extra time (Cabral 103'). Lisandro Martínez equalised (92'); Diney Borges' own goal (111') sent the holders through.
Report: July 3 results.
Round of 16: Argentina 3–2 Egypt (M95, 7 July)
Egypt led 2–0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (Ibrahim 15', Zico 67'). Argentina staged a 15-minute comeback: Cristian Romero (79'), Messi (83' — his 8th goal) and Enzo Fernández (90+2') completed one of the tournament's great turnarounds.
Report: July 7 results.
Quarter-final: Argentina 3–1 Switzerland (AET) (M100, 11 July)
Alexis Mac Allister (10') opened at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City; Dan Ndoye equalised (67'). Julián Álvarez (112') and Lautaro Martínez (120+1') scored in extra time to reach the semi-finals.
Report: July 11 results · Argentina vs Switzerland.
Semi-final: England 1–2 Argentina (M102, 15 July)
Anthony Gordon (55') gave England the lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Enzo Fernández equalised (85'); Lautaro Martínez struck in 90+2' to send Argentina to the final against Spain.
Report: England vs Argentina semi-final · July 15 results.
Final: Spain 1–0 Argentina (AET) (M104, 19 July)
Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium after a goalless 90 minutes. Enzo Fernández was booked at 90+3'. Argentina finish as runners-up.
Report: World Cup 2026 final result · M104 match report · July 19 results.
Lionel Messi at World Cup 2026 — Every Goal
| Match | Opponent | Minute | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|---|
| M19 | Algeria | 17' | 1–0 |
| M19 | Algeria | 60' | 2–0 |
| M19 | Algeria | 76' | 3–0 |
| M43 | Austria | 38' | 1–0 |
| M43 | Austria | 90+5' | 2–0 |
| M70 | Jordan | 80' | 3–1 |
| M86 | Cape Verde | 29' | 1–0 |
| M95 | Egypt | 83' | 2–2 → 3–2 |
Total: 8 goals — joint Golden Boot leader at World Cup 2026 (no goal in the final).
Profile: Lionel Messi World Cup 2026 · Golden Boot standings.
Argentina World Cup 2026 — Other Key Players
| Player | Role | Knockout highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lautaro Martínez | Striker | Pen vs Jordan; ET winner vs Switzerland; SF winner 90+2' vs England |
| Enzo Fernández | Midfield | 90+2' vs Egypt; 85' equaliser vs England; yellow 90+3' in final |
| Julián Álvarez | Forward | 112' winner vs Switzerland |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Midfield | 10' opener vs Switzerland |
| Emiliano Martínez | GK | Penalty specialist; key saves in tight ties |
| Cristian Romero | Defender | 79' spark vs Egypt comeback |
Scaloni's system: 4–3–3 with Messi as the free No. 10, Fernández and Mac Allister as progressors, and Lautaro as the focal No. 9 in big moments.
Argentina World Cup 2026 Stats & Records
Unbeaten until the final: 7 wins from 7 before the decider — 1–0 defeat to Spain in extra time.
Historical context:
- 1978, 1986, 2022: Three previous World Cup titles.
- 2026: Runners-up — lost 1–0 to Spain in the final (Torres 106').
- Messi — 8 goals at the tournament; could not add a fourth title.
World Cup head-to-head vs Spain: Argentina lost 2–1 in 1982 and 0–1 in 2026 — both defeats to Spain.
Argentina vs Spain — World Cup 2026 Final Result
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Result | 🇪🇸 Spain 1–0 Argentina 🇦🇷 (AET) |
| Winning goal | Ferran Torres 106' |
| Date | Sunday, 19 July 2026 |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
Full report: World Cup 2026 final — Spain 1–0 Argentina · MetLife Stadium guide.
How to Follow Argentina at the World Cup Final
| Region | Kickoff | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|
| USA (ET) | 15:00 | Fox (EN), Telemundo (ES) |
| Argentina | 16:00 ART | TyC Sports / Telefe |
| Brazil | 16:00 BRT | Globo, SporTV, Globoplay |
| Spain | 21:00 CEST | Movistar+ / RTVE |
Guide: Where to watch World Cup 2026 in Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Argentina's results at World Cup 2026?
Argentina finished 7–0–1 with 19 goals scored: 3–0 Algeria; 2–0 Austria; 3–1 vs Jordan; 3–2 (AET) Cape Verde; 3–2 Egypt; 3–1 (AET) Switzerland; 2–1 vs England; 0–1 (AET) vs Spain in the final. Runners-up.
Who won the World Cup 2026 final?
Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026.
When is Argentina's next World Cup 2026 match?
The 2026 World Cup is complete — Argentina finished second. Next major tournament: Copa América 2028 / World Cup 2030.
Who scored Argentina's semi-final winner against England?
Lautaro Martínez in the 92nd minute (90+2') at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta on 15 July 2026. Enzo Fernández had equalised in the 85th minute after Anthony Gordon (55') put England ahead.
Did Argentina come back against Egypt at World Cup 2026?
Yes — 3–2 after trailing 2–0. Romero 79', Messi 83' and Fernández 90+2' completed the comeback at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Argentina resultados Copa do Mundo 2026
A Argentina terminou vice-campeã com 7 vitórias e 1 derrota: perdeu a final para a Espanha por 1–0 na prorrogação (Ferran Torres 106'). Messi marcou 8 gols no torneio.
Related Guides
- World Cup 2026 final — Spain vs Argentina
- England 1–2 Argentina semi-final
- Lionel Messi World Cup 2026
- World Cup 2026 calendar
- World Cup 2026 results hub
- Argentina team profile
- World Cup 2026 simulator
- World Cup finals history
World Cup 2030 centenary → Free 2030 simulator · Argentina 2030 centenary · 2030 hub