In the second World Cup semifinal, England struck first, taking a 1-0 lead early in the second half and then retreating into a defensive shell.Argentina responded by pummeling the English wall until it had scored two late goals, one in the 85th minute and the second in stoppage time, both orchestrated by the great Lionel Messi, and secured a 2-1 win.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Argentina now plays Spain in the final on Sunday, with a chance to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.World Cup RecapArgentina scored twice in about seven minutes to come from behind and beat old foe England, with two assists from 39-year-old superstar Lionel Messi.England was minutes away from its first World Cup final in 60 years after Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal.
But a long-range strike from Enzo Fernández, who plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League, and a header from substitute Lautaro Martínez sealed a turnaround in Atlanta as dramatic as La Albiceleste’s comeback win over Egypt in the round of 16 in the same stadium.England started well, albeit with little to show for it.A gnarly, scrappy, ultraphysical first half saw 19 combined fouls and zero shots on goal.
It was the first World Cup game since 1966, when England won the tournament it hosted, with zero shots on target halfway through.Argentina could not pass its way through England, with Elliot Anderson as an effective screen in front of the defense.England’s undoing actually arose from coach Thomas Tuchel’s defensive tactics after it took the lead, substituting in extra defenders as early as the 72nd minute and retreating into a deep 5-4-1 formation.Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring their first goal against England on July 15 in Atlanta.Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty ImagesEngland lacked an outlet and held only 12% of possession between Gordon’s opener and Martínez’s stoppa...