Argentina edge England to reach World Cup final

The World Cup semi-final clash between Argentina and England delivered fireworks, late drama, and a masterclass from Lionel Messi as the Albiceleste secured a thrilling 2-1 victory in a match that swung wildly from drab to spectacular.

The Albiceleste’s late surge

For much of the opening 45 minutes, the game was a bruising, tactical stalemate—more trench warfare than football, with 19 fouls and just 0.07 expected goals recorded. England’s Three Lions and Argentina’s Albiceleste traded heavy challenges, with Manchester City’s Elliot Anderson even clattering into Messi during a dazzling solo run. Yet, when the whistle blew for halftime, the scoreboard stubbornly read nil-nil.

The second half, however, told a different story. England struck first through Anthony Gordon (55’), capitalizing on a defensive error to fire home past Emiliano Martínez. But Argentina, led by their talismanic captain, refused to surrender. Messi, though denied a goal himself, orchestrated a breathtaking finale—slicing through England’s defense to set up Enzo Fernández (85’) and Lautaro Martínez (90’+2) for the goals that sent his team to the final.

At 39 years old, Messi continues to defy time, carrying Argentina on his shoulders once again. His two assists brought his tournament tally to eight goal contributions, a reminder that genius often transcends age and expectation.

England’s heartbreak and France await

For England, the agony was immediate. Harry Kane’s side dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down Argentina’s disciplined defense. After Gordon’s opener, the Three Lions pushed hard for a second but were repeatedly frustrated by Martínez’s heroics. Defeat in this semi-final means England now face France in the third-place playoff—a match neither side likely relishes, yet one steeped in decades of sporting rivalry between the two nations.

The last time these teams met at a World Cup was in the 2022 quarter-finals, where France prevailed 2-1. With key personnel like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud no longer in the squad, this rematch promises a fresh dynamic, though no less intensity.

What’s next?

The final awaits Argentina, who will face Spain in a high-stakes showdown at New York’s MetLife Stadium (Sunday, 21:00). If they lift the trophy, Messi could etch his name into history as the first captain to lead Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles. Meanwhile, England’s focus turns to redemption—or at least salvaging pride—against France in Miami (Saturday, 23:00).