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Associated Press

Messi inspires Argentina to comeback win over England in World Cup semi

9:56am

The pressure from Argentina was too much for Egland to handle, conceding two goals after spending most of the second half in the lead. (Source: TVNZ)

Lionel Messi sent in the cross that delivered Argentina a second consecutive World Cup final after another improbable comeback.

Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Messi fed a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Thursday.

Messi also provided the assist to Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute for the equalising goal.

At the end of another exhausting match — another match in which Argentina was stretched to the final minutes — Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.

Argentina fans celebrate in Auckland.

Argentina, who will play Spain in the final on Monday (NZT) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Watch the FIFA World Cup final at 7am on Monday, July 20, live and free on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+

Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but the team's other chances failed to find the back of the net.

England fans in Auckland celebrate Anthony Gordon's goal against Argentina.

Fernandez scored the equaliser with a long-range effort as Argentina pressed desperately for a goal, and Martinez headed in the winner with time running out.

Argentina had to come through yet another tough match at this year's expanded 48-team tournament after surviving scares against Cape Verde and Egypt.

England's Harry Kane (9) reacts after the World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina in Atlanta.

The game resumed one of the biggest rivalries in international football, and there was a raucous atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff as both sets of fans tried to drown out each other’s national anthems.

That continued on the field in a first half that was repeatedly broken up by fouls.

Argentina's Giuliano Simeone (17) heads the ball over England's Elliot Anderson (8) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta,

Leandro Paredes went in late on Jude Bellingham early in the game. Fernandez did likewise with Elliot Anderson soon after.

A tense first half ended goalless, with no clear chances, but the game opened up after the break

Argentina players surround referee Ismail Elfath after a foul on Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Julian Alvarez, and Gordon found the breakthrough for England, converting a cross from Morgan Rogers.

Argentina pressed. Substitute Nico Gonzalez was denied by Pickford, and Alexis Mac Allister came even closer with a header off the post.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side's second goal during the World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina in Atlanta.

Watch all matches at the World Cup with an event pass on TVNZ+

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