Messi magic crushes England as Argentina stage dramatic comeback to reach World Cup final

Messi magic crushes England as Argentina stage dramatic comeback to reach World Cup final

• Martinez’s stoppage-time winner sends Argentina into final after England collapse

England’s dream of ending a 60-year wait for a World Cup final appearance was shattered in agonising fashion on Wednesday as Lionel Messi orchestrated a sensational late comeback that propelled defending champions Argentina to a dramatic 2-1 victory and a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

With the Three Lions appearing destined for a famous triumph after Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute opener, Argentina produced a breathtaking finale, striking twice in the closing seven minutes. Enzo Fernandez restored parity in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed home Messi’s pinpoint cross in stoppage time, silencing the 68,239 spectators at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and leaving England devastated.

For much of the contest, Thomas Tuchel’s men frustrated the South Americans with disciplined pressing and defensive organisation. Gordon’s clinical finish early in the second half seemed to reward England’s impressive display, but the decision to retreat and protect the slender lead proved costly as Argentina tightened their grip on possession and relentlessly piled on the pressure.

Messi, who had been relatively subdued for long spells, came alive when it mattered most. Operating from the right flank in the closing stages, the 39-year-old maestro unlocked England’s defence with two decisive assists to send Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will face European champions Spain in New Jersey.

The victory further enriched Messi’s extraordinary World Cup legacy. Four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar, the Argentine captain is now on course to win a second straight title, having already amassed eight goals and four assists at the 2026 tournament.

 

England captain Harry Kane admitted his side paid the price for abandoning their attacking approach after taking the lead.

 

“I’m gutted for the boys, the staff and the fans,” Kane said. “We played well for most of the game, but once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on. At this level, that’s simply not enough.”

 

Kane insisted Tuchel’s instructions were to continue attacking, but England gradually surrendered territory as Argentina dominated possession.

 

“We struggled to get pressure on the ball after the goal,” he said. “In the first half and early in the second we pressed them really well and controlled the game. But afterwards it became wave after wave of attacks, and eventually they found a way through.”

 

Despite the painful defeat, Kane urged his teammates to draw confidence from another deep run at a major tournament.

 

“We’ve had a lot of good moments in this tournament and reached another semi-final. It feels like we’re always knocking on the door. We’re close, but we still need to find that missing piece.”

 

Messi’s influence in the closing stages underlined why he remains one of football’s greatest match-winners. The Argentine icon completed nine successful dribbles, created four chances, delivered nine crosses and registered both assists. Remarkably, he matched England’s entire team for touches inside the opposition penalty area.

 

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni hailed his captain’s enduring brilliance.

 

“He’s the best player in history,” Scaloni said. “I don’t know what else he has to do to prove it.”

 

Former England defender Micah Richards echoed that sentiment, saying: “They have Lionel Messi. They have the greatest of all time. These are the moments that define legends.”

 

For England, another promising World Cup campaign ended in bitter disappointment. For Messi and Argentina, however, the quest for back-to-back world titles remains alive, with only Spain now standing between the Albiceleste and another date with football immortality.