Argentina stun England with a late comeback to reach the World Cup final
Two goals in six minutes, from Enzo Fernandez and a Lautaro Martinez header, send the holders past England to a Sunday final with Spain.
Argentina are back in the World Cup final. The defending champions produced a stunning late comeback to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday, scoring twice in the closing six minutes to break English hearts and set up a Sunday showdown with Spain.
For most of the night England looked the more likely. Anthony Gordon put them ahead in the 55th minute, tapping home after Morgan Rogers broke clear in transition, and the Three Lions defended their lead deep into the closing stages. Then Argentina, and Lionel Messi, found another gear.
Two goals in six minutes
Enzo Fernandez levelled in the 85th minute to haul his nation back into it, and with the game seemingly drifting to extra time, Lautaro Martinez rose to head home in the 92nd minute to complete the turnaround. Messi had a hand in both goals, the veteran pulling the strings as Argentina threw everything forward. He finishes the tournament as a joint top scorer with eight goals, a reminder that his influence has not dimmed.
Heartbreak for England, a repeat bid for Argentina
For England it is more agony. Their long wait for a second world title, still stuck on the 1966 triumph, goes on, and they now drop into Saturday's third-place playoff. For Argentina, La Albiceleste move within one match of a feat almost no one manages: retaining the World Cup. No nation has won back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1962.
Sunday's final pairs Argentina with a Spain side that has looked imperious all tournament, having dismissed France 2-0 in the other semi. It sets up a heavyweight finale between the holders and the team many have tipped as the best in the field.
