Argentina completed a dramatic comeback to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, scoring twice in stoppage time after Anthony Gordon’s goal. Enzo Fernández equalised and Lautaro Martínez netted the winner, both set up by Lionel Messi, sending La Albiceleste into the final to defend their title.
Argentina stun England with stoppage-time turnaround to reach World Cup final
Argentina overturned England 2-1 in a seismic World Cup semi-final, striking twice in stoppage time to snatch victory. Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal looked decisive for a disciplined England, but Enzo Fernández’s late equaliser and Lautaro Martínez’s match-winner — both created by Lionel Messi — flipped the tie and propelled La Albiceleste into the final.
Immediate significance
This result keeps Argentina’s defence of the World Cup alive and cements Lionel Messi’s tournament legacy. The win is a stark reminder of Argentina’s capacity for late drama and resilience, while prompting urgent questions about the team’s dependence on individual moments to overcome structural shortcomings.
How the match unfolded
An intense, physical start set the tone, with a simmering rivalry audible before kick-off as anthems were drowned out by opposing supporters. England matched Argentina’s intensity and tactical discipline through much of the game, gradually imposing themselves and converting pressure into the lead via Anthony Gordon in the second half.
Argentina grew into the match after Lionel Scaloni’s mid-game interventions and a shift back toward the collective, La Nuestra, that blends flair with grit and a degree of gamesmanship tolerated by referee Ismael Elfath. Chances came and went for both sides — Alexis Mac Allister’s 77th-minute miss epitomised Argentina’s squandered opportunities — until the final act.
Messi’s decisive influence
Lionel Messi was central to the turnaround, orchestrating the two late goals with craft and composure. His involvement was decisive rather than ornamental: Messi created the openings that turned despair into triumph, reinforcing why he remains the touchstone of Argentina’s attack even when the team’s collective mechanics falter.
Key tactical takeaways
Argentina’s strengths — tight central control, high footballing IQ among veteran players, and a killer instinct from Messi — collided with persistent vulnerabilities: an aging core, limited width, and moments of opacity under pressure. England’s organisation and physicality suggested they were the more dependable side for long stretches, but they lacked the finishing spark to close the tie.
Scaloni’s substitutions and game management at critical moments swung momentum. Ismael Elfath’s permissive refereeing allowed the contest to become rugged, which suited neither side’s purity of play but amplified the emotional stakes.
What this result means
For Argentina, the victory is an intoxicating blend of relief and validation: relief that their late-game temperament held up, and validation of a mentality that has carried them through tight spots all tournament. Yet the match also highlighted why relying on last-gasp heroics is a precarious blueprint going into a final against a top opponent.
For England, the loss will sting as evidence of progress matched by a lack of clinical closure. The team’s structure and discipline were in evidence; what they lack is the ruthless edge required at football’s highest moment.
Looking ahead to the final
Argentina now require one more top-level performance — 90 or potentially 120 minutes — to retain the World Cup. The final will be the clearest test yet of whether their tournament is driven by sustainable balance or recurring flashes of Messi-fuelled magic.
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Whichever opponent awaits, the match will force Scaloni’s side to blend their late-match temperament with cleaner, more consistent execution from the first whistle.
The Guardian
