Argentina secure World Cup final spot with late comeback against England
Argentina stages late comeback to defeat England in semi-final
Argentina secured a World Cup 2026 final berth after a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta. The holders staged a remarkable late comeback, scoring two goals in the final minutes of the semi-final match. This result means Argentina will now face Spain in the final, while England will compete for third place against France.
England had initially taken the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon’s opener. The goal came after a cautious first half, with Gordon finishing a well-executed move. However, Argentina intensified their pressure, leading to a late surge that turned the game around.
The turning point arrived in the 85th minute when Enzo Fernandez scored a powerful long-range equaliser, bringing Argentina level. Just seven minutes later, in the 92nd minute, substitute Lautaro Martinez headed in the winning goal, completing the stunning turnaround. Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in both goals, providing assists for Fernandez’s strike and Martinez’s winner.
Tactical decisions under scrutiny
England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, made several defensive substitutions after Gordon’s goal, shifting to a back five to protect the lead. This tactical change, however, appeared to backfire, as Argentina subsequently gained firm control of the game. Following these changes, England’s possession averaged just 12 per cent between Gordon’s goal and Martinez’s winner.
Tuchel defended his decisions, stating he had “no regrets” and that the changes were made to “close the gaps inside and be stronger in the air.” He acknowledged that the team became “too passive after we scored.” England captain Harry Kane admitted the strategy was not effective at this level, saying, “Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is just not enough.”
Critics, including Paul Merson, suggested that Tuchel’s approach mirrored that of previous England managers who were criticised for being too defensive. Rob Dorsett noted that Tuchel’s decision to sit deep for more than half an hour shifted momentum entirely to Argentina, allowing them to create numerous chances, including hitting the post twice in the final quarter of the game.
Ron Walker further highlighted the impact of Tuchel’s changes, noting that England surrendered almost 93 per cent of the ball in the 21 minutes after switching to a back five until conceding the winner. England did not manage a single touch in the opposition box after scoring, and their inability to create an out ball in a 5-4-1 formation compounded their problems, ultimately inviting pressure from the reigning World Cup holders.
Messi’s decisive influence
Despite not scoring himself, Lionel Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s victory, earning the man of the match award. England’s strategy involved harrying and frustrating Messi, pushing him wide and limiting his shots on goal. However, Messi’s ability to create opportunities proved decisive.
His assist for Fernandez’s equaliser involved drawing England defenders out of position, creating space for the shot. For the winning goal, Messi drove down the right wing and delivered a precise cross that found Lautaro Martinez’s head. This performance underscored Messi’s multifaceted brilliance, even when not directly on the scoresheet.
Messi’s presence on the field, his understanding of space, and his ability to anticipate defensive movements were key factors in Argentina’s comeback. He found solutions where others could not, demonstrating his unique insight into the game’s dynamics. This will be Messi’s third World Cup final appearance, matching Cafu’s record.
Argentina will now advance to the final against Spain, scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey. England, having lost back-to-back European Championship finals, will play France in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami.
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Source: skysports.com
