Defending champions Argentina incredibly came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday
Defending champions Argentina incredibly came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, booking their place in Sunday’s final against Spain as they chase back-to-back titles.
The defending champions trailed for much of the second half after Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute, converting a pinpoint cross from Morgan Rogers to send the Three Lions to the brink of a first World Cup final appearance in 60 years.
But Argentina, who have made a habit of leaving things late throughout this tournament, refused to fold.
Enzo Fernández levelled matters in the 85th minute with a bending finish from outside the box, latching onto a pass from captain Lionel Messi after his earlier shot had been tipped over the crossbar.
Substitute Lautaro Martínez then sealed the win deep into stoppage time, rising to head home another brilliant cross from Messi for his second assist of the night.
The opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of quality, with both sides recording no shots inside the first half hour, one of the most goal-shy starts to a match at this stage of the tournament in decades.
England, however, grew into the game after the break and looked set to hold on, retreating into a defensive shape once ahead rather than pushing for a second to kill off the tie.
That decision proved costly. Argentina dominated possession throughout, finishing with 64 per cent of the ball and 14 shots to England’s six, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was rarely troubled at the other end.
Alexis Mac Allister also struck the post with a header before Fernández’s equaliser turned the tide decisively in Argentina’s favour.
For England, the defeat continues a painful pattern of collapse in the closing stages of major tournaments, echoing similar semi-final and final heartbreaks in recent years.
Manager Thomas Tuchel insisted his side had nothing to regret, praising their effort despite the outcome, while captain Harry Kane admitted the team had “worked so hard” only to fall agonisingly short again.
For Argentina, the win extends coach Lionel Scaloni’s remarkable run of late drama at this World Cup, with the team now looking to defend the title they won in Qatar.
They will face European champions Spain, who beat France 2-0 in the other semi-final, in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey — a meeting between the best of South America and the best of Europe, with Messi chasing one more piece of history before the closing chapter of his international career.
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