Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni gestures ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between England and Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni credited his team's resolve under pressure for its stoppage-time win over England in their World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

England took the lead through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal, before Enzo Fernandez struck in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scored seven minutes later to send the reigning champion into Sunday's final against Spain.

"I think this team plays its best when it faces adversity. We had a challenging situation, there was blood in the water, and we went for it," Scaloni told a post-match news conference.

"When you see there's a vacuum and the fact the goals don't go in you know you have to just keep going. The team kept fighting. We thought we'd have to go home knowing that we'd given everything. But the way we came back goes beyond tactics. When we scored the second one, we saw everything that football is from our childhood."

Scaloni told his players to enjoy the achievement of reaching a World Cup final, saying such moments are rare.

"What happened today was something else," the 48-year-old said. "It's a semifinal, the game was incredible. Now we have to rest but we will prepare, we have to celebrate. There are few moments like this when we can be joyful."

It was the fourth successive game at this World Cup that Argentina has won with a goal either in second-half stoppage time or extra time.

The Albiceleste needed extra time to beat Cabo Verde and Switzerland, and a stoppage-time goal to overcome Egypt.

Scaloni hailed his players' temperament, shaped since childhood, for the foundation of the comeback, adding that 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi had led by example.

"I know this team, they are stubborn," Scaloni said. "They were raised in an environment when they feared nothing, they don't feel the weight on their shoulders.

"Messi tried to get the ball at every opportunity at the end of the game. When you see that type of commitment and determination, they're playing like they did when they were seven or eight. They're not playing thinking about the final, they're thinking about football. I'm very proud of this team."

Scaloni, who took charge of Argentina in 2018 and led the team to two Copa America titles as well as the 2022 World Cup, did not confirm or deny whether he would continue after the tournament.

"But I would love to leave as a world champion," he said. "Whether I win or not doesn't matter, the most important thing is how you face situations. We've shown our grit. I'm at ease.

"I'm not concerned what people think of me or the criticism that comes my way. What I'm worried about is what I can control, to have the team go out on the pitch and understand that tomorrow's another day. We just have to do our very best."

Argentina is now turning its attention to the clash with Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium.

When asked about Luis de la Fuente's side, which beat France 2-0 in the other semifinal, Scaloni said: "They are a great team. They deserved to win the semifinal and played very well against a team that I thought was very difficult to beat. The team is fantastic. Everyone knows how they play. We're prepared and I hope the people can enjoy the game."