Lionel Messi inspired another Argentina fightback as the reigning champions came from behind to defeat England 2-1 and book their place in the World Cup final.
Match Report
Argentina will now have the opportunity to retain their World Cup crown when they face Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored the goals that overturned Anthony Gordon’s opener for England.
The contest began cautiously, with both teams struggling to create clear openings during a scrappy opening half-hour. England came closest when John Stones glanced a header narrowly wide from a Declan Rice free-kick.
Argentina responded through Fernandez, whose effort after Messi’s blocked shot sailed just over the bar, leaving Jordan Pickford scrambling.
The holders returned from the break with greater intent. Julian Alvarez beat Djed Spence but saw his near-post strike denied by Pickford before his follow-up effort deflected into the side netting.
Despite Argentina’s bright start, England struck first with a flowing move. Lisandro Martinez’s acrobatic clearance only reached Rice, who found Morgan Rogers. The winger delivered an inviting cross that Gordon calmly finished in the 55th minute.
Argentina continued to push forward. Spence produced an outstanding recovery tackle to prevent Giuliano Simeone from converting at a tight angle, while Pickford reacted sharply to keep out Nico Gonzalez’s flicked header.
Alexis Mac Allister then connected with an excellent Rodrigo De Paul delivery, only to see his header cannon off the inside of the left post. Moments later, Gonzalez headed across the face of goal as England came under increasing pressure.
Fernandez remained influential, and after Pickford tipped another powerful effort over the crossbar, the midfielder levelled the match five minutes from time. Found by Messi, he curled a superb strike beyond the England goalkeeper into the far corner.
Just seven minutes later, Lautaro Martinez completed the turnaround. Mac Allister’s low shot struck the post before Messi recovered possession on the right and floated a brilliant cross into the penalty area. Left completely unmarked, the Inter forward powered his header into the net to seal Argentina’s victory.
Argentina’s resilience shines through
The opening stages unfolded exactly as anticipated, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tense and tactical encounter. However, Argentina’s composure and experience ultimately proved decisive.
The first half featured 19 fouls and no shots on target, marking the highest number of fouls without a single effort on target in any half of football at this tournament.
It was also the first World Cup match on record (since 1966) to go the opening 30 minutes without a single shot. The combined expected goals (xG) of just 0.08 between England and Argentina in the first half was the lowest ever recorded in the opening period of a World Cup knockout match.
While the first half offered little attacking quality, Gordon’s goal highlighted his growing influence. He has now been directly involved in six goals across his last seven England appearances (two goals and four assists), compared to only two goal involvements (both goals) in his first 18 international matches.
England were unable to build on their advantage, and once again, Messi made the difference. He has now scored or assisted in 11 consecutive World Cup appearances, extending the longest such streak by any player since records began in 1966.
With his two assists in this match, Messi’s total in World Cup finals has risen to 12, with 10 coming in knockout matches. No other player on record has registered more than eight assists overall.
It was a bitter conclusion for England. For the second time this century, they took the lead in a World Cup semi-final but failed to reach the final, repeating the disappointment of 2018, when they were beaten 2-1 by Croatia after extra time.