Messi sets up both goals as Argentina scores twice late to beat England 2-1 and reach World Cup final

Argentina scored two goals in the final seven minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit and beat England 2-1 in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th and Lautaro Martínez headed the winner in stoppage time, both goals set up by Lionel Messi.

Rivalry spills over before kick-off

Hymns were drowned by boos from both sets of supporters, and a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” was unfurled after the final whistle. Boxing announcer Michael Buffer introduced the match, setting the tone for a tense first half that produced 19 fouls (12 by Argentina) and no shots on target.

England opens scoring then collapses

Gordon struck after the break, finishing a cross to put Thomas Tuchel's side ahead. England then retreated and stopped pressing, allowing Argentina to take control. Lautaro Martínez later pointed to that shift: “They got tired. They pressed for 60 minutes and they stopped when they scored. They retreated, and that gave us the ball and opened up the field.”

They got tired. They pressed for 60 minutes and they stopped when they scored. They retreated, and that gave us the ball and opened up the field.

Messi takes over

The 39-year-old, well-marshalled by Elliot Anderson for much of the evening, suddenly found space. He crossed for Fernández to fire home from 20 metres, then after an Alexis Mac Allister shot struck the post, Messi recovered the rebound and delivered a cross with his weaker right foot for Martínez to head in. “We never stopped believing. When the situation was difficult, we kept going,” Messi said. With nine completed dribbles, Opta noted he is the only player to achieve that in a World Cup match since 1966. Messi now has 8 goals (co-top with Kylian Mbappé) and 4 assists, one behind France's Michael Olise.

We never stopped believing. When the situation was difficult, we kept going.

Another survival exercise

The comeback continued a pattern for Argentina, who needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 and Switzerland 3-1, and overturned a 2-0 deficit against Egypt to win 3-2. Coach Lionel Scaloni said: “This group never stops surprising me.”

This group never stops surprising me.

Emotional aftermath and what comes next

Lautaro Martínez, who had entered in the 81st minute, said he had dreamed of such a moment: “I told Alexis (Mac Allister) I was going to score.” Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was in tears at the final whistle. Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday 19 July near New York. Spain defeated France 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday to reach the first World Cup final between the two nations. England will play France for third place on Saturday in Miami.