Lionel Messi created two goals in the final eight minutes as Argentina overturned England’s lead and won 2-1 in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martínez headed in the winner during stoppage time to send the defending champions back to the final.
England was seven minutes from adding another chapter to its World Cup history against Argentina. Anthony Gordon had turned in Morgan Rogers’ cross in the 55th minute, giving Thomas Tuchel’s team a lead it protected deep into the night.
Argentina controlled 64.3 percent of the possession and completed 537 passes, but the first half ended without a goal. Messi had one shot blocked from distance, while Enzo sent another effort just over. England’s semifinal lineup changes helped close the wide areas, and Jude Bellingham gave the midfield an outlet under pressure.
The breakthrough came from England’s most direct move. Rogers delivered from the left, Gordon attacked the space at the back post and finished from close range. England then added Ezri Konsa for Gordon in the 72nd minute, turning its attention toward protecting the box rather than extending the lead.
Argentina kept building pressure. Jordan Pickford saved from Julián Álvarez, Nico González and Alexis Mac Allister, and Lionel Scaloni sent on Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi and Lautaro as the chase became more urgent. The volume eventually told: Argentina finished with 15 shots and six corners to England’s five shots and two corners.
Messi changes the semifinal in seven minutes
Messi took the corner that began the equalizer in the 85th minute. England’s first clearance didn’t end the danger, and the Argentina captain found Enzo outside the area. The midfielder drove a right-footed shot through the bodies and into the bottom-left corner, beyond Pickford’s reach.
The winner arrived in the second minute of stoppage time. Messi moved into space on the right and shaped a cross toward the six-yard box. Lautaro separated from the defenders and powered his header into the top-left corner, completing Argentina’s comeback only 11 minutes after entering the match.
England had little time to answer. Harry Kane finished with one blocked shot, Bellingham couldn’t turn his work between the lines into a clear chance, and Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford didn’t enter until the sixth minute of added time. England will face France in Saturday’s third-place game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Argentina will meet Spain in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain reached the championship match with a 2-0 semifinal win over France. Argentina now stands one victory from defending the title it won in Qatar four years ago.
