England suffered a late setback as Argentina mounted a dramatic comeback to secure a victory in a tense World Cup semifinal clash. The match, which took place on Saturday, saw England take an early lead before Argentina struck twice in the final minutes to overturn the result and advance to the final.

The game, marked by high emotions and physical intensity from the outset, featured an early goal by England’s Anthony Gordon shortly after halftime. Gordon’s strike raised hopes for England’s first World Cup final appearance since 1966 and only their second ever.

However, Argentina, under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni, maintained relentless pressure, demonstrating resilience that has been a hallmark of their tournament run. Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute when Enzo Fernández scored a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, capitalizing on a well-worked short corner involving Lionel Messi.

With the match seemingly heading to extra time, Argentina delivered a decisive blow deep into stoppage time. Messi, continuing his influential role, delivered a precise cross from the right flank after England had survived a close-range header by Alexis Mac Allister that hit the post. Substitute Lautaro Martínez timed his run perfectly at the far post, directing a volley past England’s goalkeeper to spark celebrations among the Argentine players and supporters.

England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, had opted to shift to a back five late in the match in an attempt to preserve the lead, but the defensive approach ultimately left his side vulnerable to Argentina’s late offensive surge.

The match carried significant historic undertones, with longstanding rivalry framed by decades of World Cup encounters between the two nations. The competitive tension was evident throughout, with several early on-field confrontations and a physical style of play. Argentina targeted key English players such as Jude Bellingham, seeking to unsettle the opposition, while England showed confidence in their aggressive wing play, particularly from Djed Spence, who started ahead of Nico O’Reilly and made several forward runs in the opening stages.

Referee Ismail Elfath from the United States faced a complex task managing the high-stakes, intense contest, which featured early skirmishes and a charged atmosphere that remained palpable throughout the 90 minutes.

Argentina’s late comeback denied England a long-awaited reunion with World Cup glory and extended the narrative of near-misses for the English side in major tournaments. Meanwhile, Argentina advances to the final, building on their reputation for resilience and determination on football’s biggest stage.