ATLANTA: Lionel Messi inspired a stunning late comeback as Argentina came back from a one-goal deficit to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday, booking a place in the World Cup final with two goals in the final seven minutes.
Just when England looked set for victory after Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal, Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got their reward when Fernandez equalized before Martínez completed the comeback in the 92nd minute with Messi providing the pass for the equalizer and the cross for the winner.
The result added another unforgettable chapter to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, a match rich in history, emotion and tension from the opening whistle.
For England, dreams of a first World Cup final since 1966, when they enjoyed their only triumph in the world tournament, were dashed in the closing stages, while Argentina celebrated a comeback that kept their quest for another world title alive.
With England inexplicably parked in their own half, an Argentina equalizer looked inevitable and, after waves of late pressure, Fernandez finally broke through in the 85th minute when Messi found him in space on the edge of the area to fire from 20 yards past Jordan Pickford into the corner.
Martínez, an 81st-minute substitute, scored the winning goal early in added time when Alexis Mac Allister fired a shot onto the post which Messi recovered. The 39-year-old talisman drove down the right to send in a brilliant ball for Martínez to head home.
The victory had particular meaning for Messi, 39, who was making what is expected to be the last World Cup appearance of his glittering career.
For England, the defeat was a devastating blow after facing Argentina for much of the contest.
The Three Lions looked set for victory after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Nicolas Tagliafico’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Declan Rice, who sent a through ball to Morgan Rogers.
Gordon appeared at the far post to guide a Rogers cross past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with his instep, causing an uproar among the England players and fans.
But Thomas Tuchel’s team could not withstand a relentless late attack as Argentina turned the game around.
