Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso will be in the final of the 2026 World Cup after Argentina's comeback against England (1-2). La Albiceleste will face Spain on July 19 in New Jersey.
Real Betis player Giovani Lo Celso now has a ticket to the grand final of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina, the reigning world champion, came back on Thursday against England at the Atlanta Stadium (1-2) and will meet Spain on July 19 in New York-New Jersey. The verdiblanco midfielder, who was not a starter in the semi-final, waited for his opportunity from the bench and is now part of the squad seeking a new world title.
Argentinian comeback in Atlanta
The semi-final was a clash of titans. England struck first in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who capitalised on a cross from Morgan Rogers. But Argentina, led by an tireless Lionel Messi, did not give up. The equaliser came in the 85th minute when Enzo Fernández connected with a powerful shot from outside the box that beat Jordan Pickford.
When it seemed everything was heading for extra time, Lautaro Martínez appeared. In stoppage time, a cross from Messi found the head of the Inter forward, who scored the decisive 1-2 and ignited madness on the albiceleste bench. Argentina, just as they did in Qatar 2022, rose again when they needed it most.
Lo Celso, from misfortune to World Cup glory
For Lo Celso, this final is a golden ending to a season marked by injuries. The Argentine returned to Real Betis in the 2024/25 season from Tottenham, but two long-term physical issues prevented him from having continuity in Heliópolis. Nevertheless, Scaloni trusted him for the World Cup, and the 30-year-old player has responded with professionalism in training.
His first spell at Betis, in the 2018/19 season, was the brightest: 45 matches, 16 goals and 5 assists under Quique Setién. That performance earned him a move to the Premier League. Now, after a challenging season, the player trained at Rosario Central has the opportunity to write a new golden chapter in his career.
Spain, the dream rival for Betis fans
The final will pit two teams that have already faced each other in the group stage. Spain, led by Luis de la Fuente, arrives after eliminating France in the semi-finals. The match, to be held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, promises to be a spectacle for football lovers.
For Betis fans, seeing Lo Celso take on Spain is an extra incentive. The midfielder, who still has a contract with the verdiblanco club until 2028, could return to Heliópolis with a World Champion medal. If he succeeds, he would be the second Betis player in history to achieve such a feat, after Joaquín Sánchez with Spain in 2010.
The final will be played on July 19 at 21:00 Spanish time. Fans will be able to watch it live on RTVE and on pay platforms. Meanwhile, Betis is already preparing for the next season with the hope that their player returns with the most coveted title in world football.
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