Late Martinez header sends Argentina to World Cup final
Retold by Oddsrama · 15 July 2026
Argentina have booked their ticket to the World Cup final after a dramatic finish against England. Substitute Lautaro Martinez proved to be the match-winner, rising highest in the 92nd minute to power home a header from Lionel Messi's cross. The strike came deep into stoppage time, breaking English hearts and sending the South Americans through to football's biggest showdown.
Messi, despite earlier missing a crucial penalty in regular time, showed composure when it mattered most by whipping in the telling cross that Martinez converted with clinical finishing. It was a heartbreaking conclusion for England after they had fought hard throughout the encounter, but Argentina's never-say-die attitude proved decisive when the stakes were at their highest.
For punters, this result underscores Argentina's pedigree in knockout football. They've shown they can finish matches with quality and precision when tournaments are on the line—traits that always attract attention ahead of World Cup finals. Martinez's poacher's instinct and willingness to be in the right place, combined with Messi's ability to create magic under pressure, remain potent betting factors. England's exit means the final will be contested on different terms than many pre-tournament projections had suggested, shifting the narrative around Argentina's odds significantly.
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