Argentina stages late comeback against England to reach World Cup final
Argentina secured a place in the World Cup final after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semifinal. The match saw Lionel Messi play a pivotal role, setting up both late goals for his team. This win means Argentina will now face Spain in the final, aiming to defend the World Cup title they won in 2022.
The game was marked by an intense start, with Argentina making a physical impression early on. The first 30 minutes of the match included 12 fouls and no shots, a record for a World Cup match according to records dating back to 1966. England midfielder Elliot Anderson was booked for a foul on Messi, and Lisandro Martinez received a yellow card for holding back Morgan Rogers.
England took the lead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon scored from Rogers’ cross. For a period, England appeared to be heading for their first World Cup final since 1966, maintaining their lead through defensive efforts, including a challenge from Djed Spence and saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. However, Argentina’s persistence eventually broke through.
Argentina’s dramatic turnaround
The momentum shifted significantly in the latter stages of the game. England, having led for much of the second half, began to drop deeper, inviting pressure from Argentina. This tactical approach, which reportedly involved coach Thomas Tuchel’s instructions to soak up pressure, ultimately proved costly.
Enzo Fernandez equalized for Argentina in the 85th minute with a curling shot from outside the box. This goal was set up by Lionel Messi, who became increasingly influential as England retreated. Messi, despite looking fatigued at one point, managed to control the game’s tempo and create opportunities for his teammates.
The winning goal came in the second minute of stoppage time when substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home. Again, Messi provided the assist, delivering a cross with his right foot. This assist brought Messi’s total World Cup finals assists to 12, establishing a new record.
Argentina’s comeback was completed within six minutes and 24 seconds, scoring both goals in quick succession. This marks the 11th goal Argentina has scored from the 75th minute onwards in this tournament, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure in the closing stages of matches.
Manager Lionel Scaloni made a notable change to his starting lineup for the semifinal, bringing in Giuliano Simeone in place of Rodrigo De Paul. Simeone contributed defensively, committing five fouls to disrupt England’s play, though his attacking contributions were limited.
Other key performances for Argentina included Cristian Romero, who made 17 defensive contributions and 10 clearances, and Enzo Fernandez, who had a strong game with the most touches and shots, completing 82 of 84 passes. Julian Alvarez also played a role in occupying England’s defense, allowing Messi more freedom.
Looking ahead to the final
Argentina’s victory sets up a highly anticipated World Cup final against Spain, scheduled for Sunday. This will be Argentina’s second consecutive World Cup final appearance and their third in the last four tournaments. England, on the other hand, will play France in the bronze medal match a day earlier.
The match against England was a physical encounter from the start. Argentina’s aggressive approach led to an early flashpoint when Elliot Anderson was hit by Fernandez. Despite the intensity, Argentina maintained discipline and control as the game progressed, particularly after England adopted a more defensive posture.
Messi’s influence grew significantly in the second half, especially as England shifted to a deep 5-4-1 formation after a hydration break. This allowed Messi to operate more effectively near the opponent’s penalty area, where he could create dangerous opportunities. His ability to deliver under pressure, especially with both assists in the comeback, was crucial for Argentina’s progression to the final.
The team’s ability to come back from a deficit, scoring late goals, has been a recurring theme for Argentina in this tournament. Their resilience will be tested once more in the final against Spain on Sunday.
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Source: eu.usatoday.com
