Argentina has spent this entire World Cup finding ways to win games they had no business winning. Wednesday’s semifinal against England might have been the most ridiculous one yet.
The defending champions were down 1-0 with less than 10 minutes left in regulation. England had been the better team for long stretches. They looked comfortable. They looked in control. And then Lionel Messi happened.
It started with England’s defense breaking down in the 85th minute. Messi found Enzo Fernandez all alone at the top of the box, and Fernandez didn’t miss. His shot curled just inside the left post past a frozen Jordan Pickford. Tie game.
England couldn’t recover. They were already sitting back trying to protect a lead, and once that lead disappeared, they had nothing left. Six minutes later, Messi floated a perfect cross from the right side. Lautaro Martinez rose up and buried a header. 2-1 Argentina.
The defending champs are headed back to the final
That goal basically ended it. England never got another real chance. Argentina held on and will face Spain on Sunday in New Jersey with a chance to repeat as world champions.
This tournament has been wild for Argentina. They’ve trailed in multiple games. They’ve needed late goals. They’ve needed Messi to be Messi over and over again. But here they are, one win away from another title.
Messi’s cross to Martinez will be replayed for years. The angle, the placement, the way Martinez attacked it — it was a moment that felt inevitable even if it didn’t seem possible five minutes earlier.
Argentina just keeps finding a way. England, meanwhile, is left wondering what could have been. They had the champs on the ropes. They just couldn’t land the knockout punch.
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