Argentina reaches World Cup final as Messi orchestrates late 2-1 comeback against England

Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final after Lionel Messi delivered two assists in a furious late turnaround to beat England 2-1. The semi-final at Atlanta's vast stadium was tense and chaotic for long spells, but Argentina found a way when it mattered most, scoring in the 85th and 92nd minutes to break English hearts.

The first half: fouls, not shots

The evening began with a flurry of confrontations. Leandro Paredes clattered into Jude Bellingham inside the opening minutes, and the temperature never dropped. For the first half-hour neither side managed a shot on target, something not seen in a World Cup match since 1966. Reece James swung in a cross that Emi Martinez gathered (19th minute), and John Stones headed wide from a free-kick (34th). The first booking arrived in the 36th minute when Elliot Anderson was cautioned for a foul on Messi. Shortly afterwards Enzo Fernández fizzed a 25-metre drive just over Jordan Pickford's bar, but by half-time the contest had produced only three efforts of note.

Gordon punishes Argentine lapse

Argentina started the second half brighter. Julián Álvarez forced Pickford into a save, but England struck on a fast break in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers delivered a low cross from the right, and Anthony Gordon escaped Nahuel Molina to tap in at the far post. Gordon, who moved from Newcastle to Barcelona just before the tournament, had his first World Cup goal, and England looked capable of frustrating the holders.

Argentina's pressure builds

Messi, quiet until the goal, began to dominate. A dribble and chest pass aside, he had been off the pace, but he now drove his team forward. Pickford clawed away a close-range header from substitute Nico González after a Messi cross (68th minute). Alexis Mac Allister then thumped a header against the post, and another flew wide. Djed Spence produced a desperate sliding tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone. England, already retreating, introduced three defensive substitutions, yet the equalizer felt inevitable.

Late drama: Fernández and Martínez deliver

With five minutes remaining, Messi took a short corner, received the return, and teed up Enzo Fernández on the edge of the box. Fernández struck a clean, powerful shot beyond Pickford to make it 1-1. England, drained and pinned back, could not regroup. In the second minute of nine minutes added on, Messi floated a cross to the back post with his right foot, and substitute Lautaro Martínez headed the winner past Pickford.

Shearer and Kane rue missed chance

Former England striker Alan Shearer directed his criticism at Thomas Tuchel's defensive setup. "With six defenders on the field Tuchel played all his cards," Shearer said. "He wanted to stop them. That might work against Norway and Mexico, but Argentina has the quality to hurt you." Captain Harry Kane looked shattered.

We worked so hard. The boys gave blood, sweat and tears. After their goal we couldn't go with them man for man. We couldn't get the momentum back.

Falklands banner and Spanish final

After the final whistle, Argentine players unfurled a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine"), a reference to the 1982 war. Supporters had been banned from bringing such banners, but the squad smuggled one onto the pitch. Argentina's reward is a clash with Spain on Sunday, the same opponent that eliminated France a day earlier. The Albiceleste will attempt to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.