Argentina produced a dramatic late comeback to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, booking their place in a second consecutive final after Qatar 2022. The defending champions spent much of the match chasing the game before goals in the final minutes turned the tie on its head against a side that had appeared destined for a first World Cup final since 1966.

England had taken the lead through a well-taken strike from Anthony Gordon, who found space inside the box to beat goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. True to their game plan, the Three Lions then dropped deeper to protect the advantage in the closing stages, a decision that would ultimately prove costly. Argentina, driven forward by Lionel Messi, pressed for an equalizer throughout the second half but repeatedly ran into an inspired Jordan Pickford in the England goal.

The breakthrough arrived when few expected it. In the 87th minute, Enzo Fernández fired a spectacular effort from outside the box, following a pinpoint assist from Messi, to level the score at 1-1 and send Argentina's supporters into raptures. The drama was not over: deep into stoppage time, in the 90+2nd minute, Lautaro Martínez finished clinically after another Messi through ball, completing the turnaround and handing his side a 2-1 win.

The result was a crushing blow for England, who had come agonizingly close to reaching their first World Cup final in sixty years before their late defensive approach unraveled. For Argentina, the comeback underscores the resilience of a squad that had also needed extra time to see off Switzerland in the quarter-finals, adding another chapter to what has become a defining tournament for the reigning champions.

Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after La Roja defeated France 2-0 in Tuesday's semi-final in Dallas. It marks the first time in World Cup history that the reigning European and South American champions will meet in the final. Messi, who provided the assists for both of Argentina's goals against England, will look to lift the trophy for a second straight tournament.