Argentina rallies past England to reach World Cup final

Argentina struck twice in the closing minutes Wednesday to beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, sending the defending champions back to the final and extending England’s long wait for another title.

The victory puts Argentina in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium against Spain, which beat France 2-0 on Tuesday. England will play France on Saturday in the third-place match.

England led in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon finished a cross from Morgan Rogers, giving the Three Lions a 1-0 advantage after a bruising first half that produced no shots on goal. CBS News described the goal as a chipped finish, while NPR reported that Gordon tapped in the cross.

Argentina pushed forward as time ran down. Midfielder Enzo Fernández tied the match in the 85th minute with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area. In stoppage time, substitute Lautaro Martínez headed in the winner from a Lionel Messi cross, sending Argentina’s supporters into celebration. NPR reported that Messi assisted on both Argentina goals; CBS News credited him with the assist on Martínez’s winner.

Messi, 39, is trying to lead Argentina to a second straight World Cup championship. His eight goals are tied for the most in the tournament, and he is one of only two players, along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to appear in six men’s World Cups.

The semifinal was the sixth World Cup meeting between Argentina and England, a rivalry marked by memorable matches and political tension. The most famous moment remains Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in Argentina’s 1986 quarterfinal win over England, four years after the two countries fought a war over the Falkland Islands. Britain won the war, but Argentina continues to claim the territory, known there as the Malvinas.

Asked Tuesday about Maradona’s performance in that 1986 match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni deflected. “I think all of the world remembers that game, remembers Diego’s performance, remembers above all the second goal,” he said.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said before Wednesday’s match that his team was not focused on history. “We respect our opponent, but we don’t dip in historic events, and we don’t make it bigger than it is,” Tuchel told reporters.

The match quickly became physical. Players collided, tugged jerseys and traded hard tackles, while referee Ismail Elfath briefly stopped play in the opening minutes to calm the game. The teams combined for 19 fouls and two yellow cards in the scoreless first half. NPR reported that Elfath was the first American man to officiate a World Cup semifinal.

Political sensitivities also surfaced before kickoff. Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva said fans would not be allowed to bring certain flags and banners incorporating images of the Falkland Islands into the stadium, citing FIFA rules against politically divisive content. Her comments drew backlash on social media in Buenos Aires. FIFA’s code of conduct also bars fans from cursing or chanting in a political, offensive or discriminatory manner.

Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel described the match this week as a fight against “usurping pirates,” a reference to the Falklands dispute.

Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, NPR reported, the atmosphere was loud and raucous, with Argentina fans wearing white and sky blue Messi jerseys and England supporters dressed in white or red jerseys bearing the names of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Neither Kane nor Bellingham was able to prevent another England defeat as the team’s wait for a first World Cup title since 1966 continued.