Argentina booked their place in the World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England, coming from behind in stoppage time to set up a mouth-watering final against Spain, who eliminated France in the other semifinal.
The first half was a scrappy, foul-ridden affair, with a combined 19 fouls recorded before the break and no shots on target from either side.
England’s brightest moments came through Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon down the flanks, while Argentina’s best opening fell to Enzo Fernández, whose 25-yard effort curled just over the crossbar.
The half finished goalless, with tempers occasionally flaring, including a shoving match sparked by a late challenge on Elliot Anderson.
England improved after the restart and took the lead in the 55th minute through Gordon.
Declan Rice collected a clearance and released Rogers on the right, who curled a dangerous ball to the far post, where Gordon got the better of Nahuel Molina and finished smartly past Emiliano Martínez.
The goal vindicated Thomas Tuchel’s decision to start Rogers ahead of Bukayo Saka, giving England a right-footed outlet down that flank.
Argentina responded by increasing the intensity of their play, dominating possession for long spells as England appeared to sit deeper.
Chances arrived for both sides – Djed Spence produced a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Giovani Simeone a clear sight of goal, while at the other end Jordan Pickford made a brilliant reaction save to deny Nico González’s downward header from a Messi cross.
Argentina’s pressure eventually told in the 85th minute, when Fernández levelled the score with a stunning strike.
Messi worked a short corner routine on the right, received the ball back, and picked out Fernández 25 yards from goal. Fernández took a touch and curled a remarkable effort into the far corner to make it 1-1.
England’s response was to make defensive changes, but Argentina continued to press for a winner. Substitute Lautaro Martínez, who had replaced Nicolás Tagliafico, was introduced to add firepower up front, and his impact proved decisive in stoppage time.
In the second minute of added time, Alexis Mac Allister struck the post with a low drive, and moments later Messi beat Nico O’Reilly on the left before curling a dangerous cross to the far post, where Martínez rose between John Stones and Reece James to head home from close range, completing Argentina’s comeback and putting them ahead 2-1.
With England chasing an equalizer in the dying moments, Argentina held firm through to the final whistle, sealing a 2-1 victory that sends them into the World Cup final against Spain – completing a stunning turnaround after trailing for much of the second half.
(The Whistler)