00:13Welcome to Beyond the Game. The ball is pure. Spain and Argentina are set to make history in the 2026
00:18World Cup final. After 96 years of World Cup history, the two football powerhouses will face each other for the
00:24first time ever in a World Cup final to sign the World Championship on Sunday, July 19th at New York.
00:30New Jersey Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. Caracas time. Defending champions Argentina will look to retain the
00:37title they won at Qatar 2022. If they succeed, Argentina will become the third nation to do so alongside Italy
00:43and Brazil. Spain will be aiming to leave its second World Cup trophy adding to its triumph at South Africa
00:492010. Meanwhile, the third place match will see France take on England on Saturday, July 18th at 5 p.m.
00:57Caracas time.
01:02And Wednesday's semifinal between Argentina and England saw a tense and scoreless first half before Lalo Biceleste delivered a dramatic
01:092-1 comeback victory.
01:11Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute with a powerful finish from Morgan Rodgers' cross.
01:16But the defending champions responded with relentless pressure.
01:20Enzo Fernandes equalized in the 85th minute with a stunning long-range strike before Lionel Messi delivered once again Zeynoblautaro
01:27Martinez for a stoppage time header to complete the turnaround.
01:31Lionel Escalon inside has delivered heart-stopping performances in the knockout stage, scoring most of its goals in the final
01:3810 minutes.
01:44And following Argentina's victory over England, the reigning world champions displayed a banner reading the Malvinas are Argentine delivering a
01:51powerful message to their nation while igniting controversies around FIFA.
01:55One of FIFA's strictest regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup prohibited political messages during matches by both players and
02:03spectators.
02:04However, after securing a hard-fought victory to reach another World Cup final, Argentina's players unveiled a banner declaring the
02:12Malvinas are Argentine.
02:13The message was attributed to an issue of deep historical and national significance for Argentina, while the gesture was well
02:20met by supporters.
02:21It also prompted the British government to request that FIFA open an investigation into the matter.
02:32And in Atlanta, Argentine fans expressed their joy and excitement to be back to a World Cup final.
02:38It was amazing because back home, my mom always told me about the match against England in 86.
02:43And well, to experience it in person, Lionel Messi had never played against England before.
02:48And honestly, I'm really happy.
02:49That pass he played to El Toro, Lautaro, Martinez.
02:53I'm really happy and really pleased.
02:55It's time to celebrate.
02:56I think we all realize that as soon as Messi moves out to the right wing, the match changes.
03:02It's all about him.
03:04It's him.
03:05What can I say?
03:07Argentina.
03:08I'm not going to say we are invincible, but it's very hard to beat us.
03:12Why?
03:13Because the game isn't about beating Argentina.
03:16It's about taking out all 11 guys on the pitch and breaking their legs.
03:19And I don't think anyone can do that this year.
03:23Yes, that goal was incredible.
03:25Incredible.
03:26Incredible.
03:26To all those who say we're too reliant on Messi, this is a team that gives it their all.
03:30That gives it their all.
03:33Meanwhile, in London, England fans expressed their disappointment after the team's defeat to Argentina
03:37and point the finger at the head coach's decision to fall back.
03:41I thought we started really well.
03:43We were strong.
03:45We dominated the first half.
03:47We got the goal.
03:49Then we sat back.
03:52And the more experienced team then tested our defense.
03:57They chipped and chipped and chipped and chipped.
03:59They broke us down.
04:00And obviously, they done us on probably grit and determination.
04:07First half, great.
04:09Second half, Gareth Southgate went into the changing rooms wearing a Tommy Tuchel mask
04:14and decided to bring on five defenders, which hasn't been done the whole tournament.
04:20And then that's why we lost, basically, I think.
04:22Because he snuck in there and did everything he hasn't done the whole tournament.
04:26The whole tournament was attacking, counter-attacking.
04:29And then this game, it was just full-blown defense when we know all Argentina's goals have scored in the
04:35last 10 minutes.
04:37England to win.
04:38So my heart was saying England to win 2-1.
04:40But my football brain, and I literally said Argentina 2-1.
04:43Because I just thought, if we score against them, we're just going to sit back.
04:47We're not going to even play on the attack anymore.
04:50I was right.
04:51I hoped they'd be wrong, but I was right.
04:57The Argentina semi-final crown for England is making headlines off the pitch
05:01after Argentine players celebrated by unfurling a banner reading the Malvinas are Argentina.
05:06Victor Hugo Morales defended the squad on his program.
05:09La pelota no se mancha.
05:12The Argentine team scored a third goal, a wonderful goal, when they unfurled the flag.
05:19The Malvinas are Argentina.
05:22Well, it made a huge impact.
05:25It warmed the hearts of millions of Argentines.
05:28Everyone feels that way.
05:30The Malvinas are Argentina.
05:33At one point, Messi himself was among those holding the flag.
05:37Lo Celso brought it onto the field, and then everyone joined in.
05:42Look how he unfurls it, so it can be seen from the sky.
05:48Perhaps so Diego could see it, since he was always a driving force
05:51behind the Argentine national team's connection to the recovery of the Malvinas Islands.
05:59The Sun newspaper is very angry about this flag.
06:02It says it was a display of arrogance.
06:04No, it's a call for freedom.
06:07And Spain wasted no time getting back to work after booking its place in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final.
06:13La Roja held its first training session this Thursday.
06:16Players and coaching staff began fine-tuning every detail ahead of the showdown with Argentina.
06:21Spain's greatest strength throughout the tournament has been its possession-based style,
06:25quick passing combinations, and defensive organization,
06:28allowing it to control the game against every opponent,
06:31and only conceding one goal in the tournament.
06:33However, Spain would need to be more clinical in front of goal,
06:37as missed chances have prevented several victories from becoming more comfortable.
06:41Against Argentina, efficiency in the final third could prove decisive.
06:45The coaching staff is also preparing to contain Argentina's dangerous transitions
06:48and limit the influence of Lionel Messi.
06:55And after two dramatic World Cup semifinals,
06:57Spain and Argentina dominate my best 11 with four players each,
07:02while England places three despite the short.
07:04Emiliano Martinez gets the nod in goal after another decisive performance
07:08protected by a back four of Marco Cruella,
07:11Christian Romero, Pauk, Garcia, and Pedro Porro.
07:13In midfield, Enzo Fernandes' late equalizer earns him a spot alongside Jude Bellingham,
07:18who remain England's driving force,
07:19and Rodri, who controls Spain's tempo.
07:22Up front, Anthony Corden is rewarded for his pace and goal against Argentina.
07:26Lionel Messi once again is on the biggest stage,
07:28and Miquel Doriazaba leads the line after scoring the penalty
07:31that puts Spain on course for a place in the World Cup final.
07:40This is all for this edition of Beyond the Game.
07:42The Ball State Spear is going to be back with more in upcoming segments.
07:45Go back to you, Ale.
07:46Thank you, Lizzie, very much for keeping us posted
07:49on the latest updates in the world of football.
07:51And after this special segment,
07:53we have come to the end of this news brief.
07:55Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website
07:58at telecineglish.net.
08:00Also, join us on social media.
08:02We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and also TikTok.
08:07For Telecineglish, I'm Alejandra Garcia.
08:12We'll see you next time.
08:13Bye-bye.
08:13Bye-bye.
08:14Bye-bye.
08:14Bye-bye.
08:14Bye-bye.
08:14Bye-bye.
08:16Bye-bye.
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