Amir Yaseen
Srinagar, July 16
For 85 minutes, England stood on the brink of its first FIFA World Cup final since 1966. Five minutes later, the dream had vanished.
Argentina produced a breathtaking late comeback, scoring twice in the closing moments to stun England 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup semifinal on Wednesday night and book a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
England appeared to have done everything required to end decades of World Cup frustration.
Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, capping a disciplined and energetic display that frustrated the defending champions for much of the evening.
Gareth Southgate’s side defended with conviction, limited Argentina’s rhythm and looked increasingly comfortable as the clock ticked toward full time.
Then came the avalanche.
With England within touching distance of the final, Enzo Fernández unleashed a sensational strike in the 85th minute to restore parity and breathe life into Argentina. Suddenly, the momentum shifted completely. The Albiceleste poured forward with renewed belief, while England struggled to regain its composure.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time.
Lionel Messi, quiet for much of the contest, delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the penalty area, where Lautaro Martínez rose highest to head home the winner in the 90+2nd minute, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the tournament.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Argentine players, while England’s squad sank to the turf in disbelief after seeing a place in the final slip away in the dying moments.
Argentina’s victory extends its title defence and moves the reigning champions within one win of consecutive FIFA World Cup crowns.
They will now face Spain in Sunday’s final, while England must recover quickly for the third-place playoff against France.
For England, it was a cruel reminder of football’s unforgiving nature.
For Argentina, it was another demonstration of the resilience, quality and championship mentality that continues to define its remarkable World Cup journey.
Match information, quotes, and photos courtesy of FIFA.com