By Our Sports Correspondent
Argentina scored twice in the final minutes to beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, earning their spot in Sunday’s final against Spain. England appeared headed for a historic win after Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions ahead in the 55th minute, but Lionel Messi sparked a stunning comeback, assisting Enzo Fernandez for the equalizer in the 85th minute before crossing again, leading to a header by substitute Lautaro Martinez deep into stoppage time.
The victory keeps Argentina’s title defence alive and leaves them one win away from becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. The result also sends 39-year-old Messi into his third World Cup final, further cementing his place among the game’s greatest players. England, meanwhile, must regroup for Saturday’s third-place playoff against France after falling just short of a first World Cup final since 1966.
Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium will pit South American champions Argentina against European champions Spain in one of the tournament’s biggest showdowns. While Spain has impressed throughout the competition, Argentina has repeatedly shown its ability to produce under pressure, with Messi’s creativity and the team’s strength in depth proving decisive in the knockout stage. Their resilience and experience make them strong contenders to successfully defend the World Cup title.