ATLANTA — Defending champion Argentina scored twice in the final minutes, with Lionel Messi providing both assists, to stun England, 2-1, on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) and move within one victory of retaining the FIFA World Cup title.
Messi sparked Argentina’s dramatic comeback by setting up Enzo Fernandez for the equalizer in the 85th minute before delivering the decisive cross that Lautaro Martinez headed home deep into stoppage time, sending La Albiceleste into Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The South Americans are now one win away from becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup crown.
England looked poised to end Argentina’s title defense after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford repeatedly denied the defending champions with a string of crucial saves.
The semifinal opened as a tense and physical contest, with both teams battling for possession in midfield and creating few clear scoring opportunities in the first half.
England found its breakthrough after the restart when Morgan Rogers delivered a cross that Gordon converted after Pickford had earlier preserved the deadlock by stopping Julian Alvarez.
Argentina refused to back down and mounted relentless pressure in the closing stages. Pickford kept out substitute Nico Gonzalez, while Alexis Mac Allister rattled the post with a header as England struggled to contain the attacks.
The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute when Messi found Fernandez, who unleashed a long-range strike to level the match and swing the momentum in Argentina’s favor.
With extra time only moments away, Messi delivered once more, floating a pinpoint cross into the penalty area where substitute Martinez powered in the winning header in the second minute of stoppage time.
Argentina had earlier survived difficult knockout victories over Cape Verde and Egypt in the expanded 48-team tournament before booking another World Cup final appearance./PN
