Argentina stun England with late comeback to reach World Cup final | OneFootball

Messi and Argentina did it again. With minutes to go and the game on the line, the world champions charged towards England and carved out an early deficit in Atlanta. Almost certain to be sent home, or at the very least to battle for a spot in the Finals during extra time, Argentina instead produced another dramatic knockout comeback, scoring twice in the closing stages to secure a 2-1 victory and set up a final against Spain.

How it happened

England looked in control after Gordon’s opener but gradually retreated into their own half. Argentina dominated possession late; Messi began finding space between the lines, and sustained pressure eventually broke England’s resistance.

Lionel Messi delivers when it mattered most

Lionel Messi didn’t score, but he controlled the biggest moments of the match.

The 39-year-old registered two assists, including the stoppage-time delivery that Lautaro Martínez converted for the winner, and was widely regarded as the game’s standout performer.

England limited his influence for much of the evening by congesting central areas. That changed once they dropped deeper after taking the lead.

With more time on the ball around the penalty area, Messi began dictating the game. Argentina’s equalizer came after a sustained spell of pressure, and Messi’s vision created the decisive goal in stoppage time.

The performance leaves him on eight goals and four assists, maintaining his lead in the Golden Boot race heading into the final against Spain.

Tuchel’s plan worked… until it didn’t

Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup largely justified itself.

Reece James returned at right-back, Djed Spence started on the left, Morgan Rogers joined the attack, and Declan Rice recovered in time to anchor the midfield.

For roughly 75 minutes, England executed the plan well.

Anthony Gordon rewarded Tuchel’s faith with the opening goal, Rogers carried the ball effectively through midfield, and Rice helped restrict Messi’s influence for long stretches.

The turning point wasn’t the lineup; rather, it was England’s response after taking the lead.

Rather than continuing to press or threaten in transition, England settled into a deeper defensive shape. Argentina’s fullbacks pushed forward, possession became increasingly one-sided, and Messi found the pockets of space England had denied him earlier.

Bukayo Saka’s absence also became more noticeable as the game wore on. England lacked an outlet capable of carrying the ball upfield, relieving pressure, and forcing Argentina to defend. By the time Marcus Rashford came into the game, the English legs were too tired to stage another comeback.

The contrast between the benches ultimately proved decisive.

Lautaro Martínez came on and scored the winner for Argentina. England never found a comparable attacking spark while Saka sat throughout the loss.

The takeaway

England was not outplayed for 90 minutes, but they were outmanaged in the final 20.

Tuchel’s starting XI put England in a position to reach the World Cup final, and for those watching, it seemed they were in control of doing so. The decision to defend deeper after Gordon’s goal, though, invited Argentina forward, and against a team led by Messi, that proved costly.

Argentina punished the retreat, completed another late knockout comeback, and will now face Spain with a chance to win back-to-back World Cups, something that hasn't happened since rivals Brazil did it in 1962.