The second semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw defending champions Argentina mount a staggering comeback against Thomas Tuchel’s England to book their place in the final against Spain.
After leading for the majority of the game, England were blown away by an Albiceleste attacking masterclass, as Enzo Fernandez equalized just five minutes before the 90th minute while Lautaro Martinez fired home the winner in stoppage time. Lionel Messi was the provider for both of Argentina’s goals.
Although the English team were left heartbroken, they did manage to have the defending champions on the ropes. Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence played a major role in doing so. The 25-year-old defender put in a defensive masterclass for Tuchel’s side, only for them to blow the lead in the final moments.
However, his efforts didn’t go unrecognized, as he received a special token of respect from the great Lionel Messi after the game.
How did Djed Spence perform against Argentina?
Djed Spence was arguably England’s best defender against Argentina, making important defensive contributions while also posing a threat down the flank whenever England progressed the ball into Argentine territory.
Spence made five tackles across the game, winning four of them, and kept Argentina’s Giuliano Simeone in check until he was substituted. The Tottenham man also won seven of his 13 ground duels while making three ball carries into the Argentine half.
Just after England scored, Simeone found himself in acres of space on the right with an opportunity to go at pickford but it was Spence’s insane last minute tackle that prevented the Argentine from taking a shot on goal. The Englishman timed the tackle perfectly as any error would have resulted in a penalty for the defending champions. His tackle on Simeone is easily one of the top contenders for this World Cup’s tackle of the tournament.
Overall, Spence’s performance against Argentina proved to be a masterclass in both defensive and attacking play.
Throughout the tournament, Spence has made a total of seven appearances, impressing in each and every one of them, especially in the knockout games against Mexico and Norway, where he kept the likes of Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth in check.
What happened between Messi and Spence?
Messi, who inspired the Argentine comeback in the dying minutes of the game with two assists, did not shy away from acknowledging Spence’s relentless defending for the entirety of the game. Playing in his first World Cup, and despite it being just his 13th international cap, Spence played a major role in keeping the Argentine attack in check for the most part.
Messi handed his iconic number 10 jersey to the youngster after the game, a moment to savor for the Tottenham star. The photo comes via Djed Spence’s sister Karla Simone Spence.
The World Cup has proven to be a massive breakthrough for the Englishman, with a bright future ahead.
What’s next for Spence and England?
Having lost the semi-final against the defending champions, England will now face the finalists from the previous two World Cups, France, in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday.
France were eliminated by Spain in the other semi-final, missing out on a third consecutive World Cup final and a repeat of the 2022 final against Argentina.
