By Kingsley Emmanuel
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the men’s FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, scoring twice in the final seven minutes to book a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon early in the second half and looked on course for a first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966. However, Argentina mounted a late comeback.
Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute after Lionel Messi found him just outside the penalty area, with the midfielder firing past Jordan Pickford.
Lautaro Martinez completed the turnaround in the second minute of stoppage time after Alexis Mac Allister’s shot struck the post, Messi gathered the rebound and delivered a cross for the substitute to head home.
Messi finished the match with two assists, setting up both goals as Argentina overturned the deficit to secure victory.
The win sends the defending champions into a second successive World Cup final, where they will face Spain, while England’s hopes of ending their 60-year wait for another final came to a heartbreaking end.
Reactions
England Manager Thomas Tuchel
Speaking after the game, Tuchel said the decision to switch to a back five formation was to try and stop Argentina crossing the ball into the box.
“I also did offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players,” Tuchel explained. “We conceded [a chance] straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.”
Argentina Manager Scaloni
“This team never gives up. It would’ve been crazy to lose in my 100th game, but this is football.”
“It was a very tough match. You always have to take the positives, this team never gives up. I congratulate our opponents, when you say there are no easy opponents… today they showed they are a great team.”
“I’m a bit skeptical, and I never see ourselves as qualified,” he admitted. “Experience has taught me that. But it’s true the game was ugly, it could have gone the other way, even though we were the ones controlling the play.
“They told me we were on the easier side of the bracket. Now they realize there are no easy games. We knew it was going to be tough. We suffered too much, we deserved to win, but the opponent made it difficult for us. I’ll discuss the negatives with the lads, but I’ll focus on the positives: the team keeps attacking, we absorbed the blow, and we came away with the victory.”
