Argentina came from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 16, in one of the greatest World Cup semi-finals in recent memory. Enzo Fernandez scored in the 85th minute and substitute Lautaro Martinez netted a dramatic winner in the 92nd minute from a perfect cross from Lionel Messi. England, who had been just minutes away from their first World Cup final since 1966, were left heartbroken. Argentina will play Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
England Strike First Through Gordon
The semi-final at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was attended by 68,239 fans and had that edgy, charged atmosphere that every Argentina v England match carries. It was a tight, scrappy first half with plenty of fouls and few clear cut chances. Elliot Anderson was booked for scything down Messi himself. England took the lead in the 55th minute when Morgan Rogers whipped in a low cross from the right and Anthony Gordon stole in at the back post to score ahead of Nahuel Molina. England seemed set to hold on. They sat back and defended their lead, a decision that would cost them. If you’re following this World Cup from the UAE and want to stay connected for live updates without running out of credit, it takes just a moment to learn How to Check Balance in Etisalat And Top Up Before Next Match Starts.
Messi Changes the Game Argentina pushed hard for an equaliser and the chances kept coming. Jordan Pickford pulled off a brilliant stop to deny Nico Gonzalez’s header. Then Alexis Mac Allister hit the post in the 76th minute. Fernandez had a chance from distance and was denied again by Pickford, but he levelled soon after. Messi put the pass into Fernandez on the edge of the box and the midfielder controlled it perfectly before firing the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1. The stadium went up in a boom. Mac Allister hit the post again almost straight away. England couldn’t clear and Messi, under pressure, whipped in a wonderful cross from the left. Martinez, a substitute, met it perfectly with his head to send the ball into the net in the 92nd minute. Argentina 2 England 1 Last whistle. Chao. Messi and his teammates went wild. England’s players fell to the ground in disbelief at what had just happened. Scam calls tend to rise around big tournament moments like this as fraudsters try to get hold of distracted fans. Make sure to quickly check any unknown number with the Who Called Me From This Number UAE tool before calling back.
A Game For All Ages
It was not quite the Maradona show of 1986 – but it was not far short. Messi may not have scored but he was the architect of both Argentina goals and the driving force behind a comeback that looked impossible when England sat comfortably on their lead with ten minutes to go. Messi, 39, is playing in his sixth World Cup and will become only the second player in history after Brazil’s Cafu to appear in three World Cup finals. His first came in 2014 against Argentina and his second came in 2022 when he finally lifted the trophy in Qatar. His third will be on Sunday. No team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 and Argentina will try to change that on Sunday against European champions Spain. Meanwhile, England travel to Miami to face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday — a match neither side will want. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, England’s two best players in the tournament, failed to make the decisive impact Tuchel’s side needed. It’s always wise to keep your balance in check during a tense week of football and news — a quick FAB Balance Check Online keeps your account in order so that nothing catches you off guard.
Final Sunday: Spain v Argentina
The mouthwatering World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, between the reigning champions of South America and the reigning champions of Europe. Spain, who went through the tournament without defeat, conceding just once, eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16 and France in the quarterfinals. Messi has been the engine for Argentina all along, and they proved in Atlanta this team does not give up. For Messi, it’s one last shot at the ultimate prize. It is a chance for Spain to win its fourth World Cup title. This is the match the whole world has been waiting for.
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