Argentina stun England with late rally to reach World Cup final - ESPN

ATLANTA — Argentina sealed a dramatic semifinal comeback against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with two goals in the closing minutes to clinch a 2-1 win and book a World Cup final clash with Spain on Sunday.

The reigning world champions, who won their third title in Qatar four years ago, looked set to be eliminated with England leading well into the dying stages following a second-half goal from Anthony Gordon.

But as so often in this tournament, Argentina responded and Enzo Fernández leveled the score with a stunning shot from 20 yards in the 85th minute.

Lionel Messi, who assisted the first goal, again played supplier for the second. His cross to the far post was met by substitute Lautaro Martínez, who headed the winning goal into the net from close range in the second minute of stoppage time.

«This is incredible, it's truly incredible,» Martínez said. «I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] I was going to score a goal; I told Facu Medina that I was going to come on and win the match.

»We stretched the team and went all-in. We got the goals in the end, and after 3½ years, we're back in a World Cup final."

Messi now has 10 assists in the World Cup knockout stage, six more than any other player in at least the past 60 years. And the 39-year-old has recorded a goal or assist in 11 straight World Cup games dating to 2022, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.

England's failure to hold onto their lead means the 1966 world champions' wait for a second World Cup final appearance continues.

«We're disappointed, we were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,» England coach Thomas Tuchel told the BBC. «We could not turn the ball possession around and then