England 1-2 Argentina: Three Lions denied first World Cup final since 1966 by late Martinez winner | OneFootball

England were denied a first World Cup final for 60 years by arch rivals Argentina, courtesy of late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lisandro Martinez.

England took the lead early on in the second half with Anthony Gordon tapping in at the far post.

The holders fought back as the second half wore on with Enzo Fernandez levelling from range before Lautaro Martine headed home to secure the Argentine’s spot in the World Cup Final against Spain.

As it happened

This is renowned as one of international football’s fiercest rivalries, thanks in large part to Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ and geopolitical tensions surrounding the Falkland Islands.

And tonight’s encounter lived up to that billing from the first whistle, as Elliot Anderson was fouled four times within the opening ten minutes.

The infamous Argentine ‘dark arts’ continued in the form of a pathetic Giuliano Simeone swan dive, after Jordan Pickford attempted to get the ball back from the Atletico Madrid forward.

So far as the actual football is concerned little happened prior to the hydration break, save for a handful of set pieces for both sides and a Reece James cross that was easily gathered by Emiliano Martinez. Indeed, this evening’s clash became the first World Cup game since 1966 to fail to see a shot in the first half hour.

Immediately after that much-booed stoppage, however, England were fortunate not to concede when a Julian Alvarez pass ricocheted off Lionel Messi’s boot following sloppy defensive play.

But the first real chance of the match fell the Three Lions way just after the half hour, with John Stones unable to generate sufficient direction on Declan Rice’s inviting free kick.

Tuchel’s men continued to look dangerous from set pieces, as Reece James’ free kick was parried by Martinez before Argentina eventually hoofed the ball away for Messi to chase.

From that passage of play the Inter Miami forward managed to draw a foul, and the resulting dead ball eventually made its way to Enzo Fernandez who almost found the top left corner from distance.

What the South Americans lacked in quality, though, they continued to make up for in dirty play, with Harry Kane yellow carded for covering his mouth when talking to the referee thanks to a protest from Leandro Paredes.

Argentina’s final act of unsportsmanlike behaviour in the first 45 arrived in injury time, when a ball mysteriously found its way onto the pitch from Lionel Scaloni’s dugout with England poised to take a quick throw in.

And another contentious moment arrived with the last kick of the half, as the Three Lions were denied the opportunity to take a corner when Elliot Anderson’s cross was deflected behind.

The reigning World Champions came out firing after the restart, with Jordan Pickford forced to save down low from Alvarez and the ex-Man City striker winning a corner from his follow-up effort.

But England looked the better team for much of the first period, and finally awoke ten minutes into the second with the opening goal of the game. Morgan Rogers, who was controversially included on the wing ahead of both Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, whipped a delightful ball into Anthony Gordon, who beat the offside trap with a clever attacking run and bundled home from close range.

The Three Lions almost threw that lead away right after the Argentine kick-off, only for the once-ridiculed Djed Spence to make produce a crucial slide tackle on Simeone when he was bearing down on goal.

John Stones – who’s own inclusion was widely criticised prior to the tournament, and is a free agent after leaving City – produced a heroic defensive action of his own not long afterwards in being alert to Nico Gonzalez’s header across goal.

And Pickford followed his teammates’ lead just before the second half hydration break by denying Gonzalez’s header from close range.

In between those Argentine chances Declan Rice had a rare chance to double England’s lead, but the Premier League winner was unable to generate enough power to beat Martinez with his strike from range.

Argentina continued to push for a leveller following the second enforced break, with Alexis Mac Allister clattering a header against the post and seeing a second attempt gathered by the imperious Pickford.

And Pickford was the hero once again as he tipped a fizzing Fernandez effort over the bar.

But the Everton shot stopper could do nothing about the Chelsea man’s next attempt, as he equalised with a scintillating shot from range following a well-worked corner routine.

And Lisandro Martinez conspired to break English hearts when he headed home a Messi delivery in stoppage time, as the South Americans, who have faced accusations of favouritism courtesy of controversial refereeing decisions against Algeria and Egypt, made the final of football’s showpiece event for the second time running.