Lionel Messi and his band of warriors engineered a spectacular comeback for Argentina on Wednesday, defeating arch rivals England in a dramatic World Cup semi-final and keeping the dream of back-to-back titles alive.
England were agonisingly close to reaching their first World Cup final for 60 years but succumbed to relentless pressure from Lionel Scaloni's spirited team, who roared back to win 2-1 in Atlanta.
The product of the Selección’s never-say-die spirit is a mouthwatering contest between reigning European champions Spain and in New Jersey on Sunday.
The Albiceleste, followed at the 2026 World Cup by legions of fans, are just 90 minutes away – and likely a few more, given FIFA’s regulations – from becoming the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.
"The other day I said this group never stops surprising me," said Scaloni. "And I'll tell you the truth, we're going to try to win, we're going to leave everything out there.
"But after this it's very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. It's incredible. We are unique, truly, and it's not arrogance, it's from the heart."
Scaloni's men have scrapped their way through the knockout rounds, most memorably coming back from the dead to beat Egypt in the last 16.
Now they have secured their biggest scalp from the tournament, the one they wanted most: old foe England.
Messi remains the beating heart of the team even at the age of 39 – scoring eight goals to sit joint top of the Golden Boot standings – and providing four assists.
But it appeared his World Cup dream was dying after Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute.
The Albiceleste, however, refused to be beaten, pouring forward in waves and pinning their opponents back.
Enzo Fernandez smashed home an equaliser from outside the penalty box in the 85th minute, with an assist from Messi, but still Argentina were not done.
Substitute Lautaro Martínez rose to head home Messi's cross in stoppage time to complete the comeback and England ran out of time.
Man-of-the-match Messi, who had never faced England previously, hailed the character of his teammates, saying "the story never ends.”
"This was just a football game, but of course it's quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context," he said.
Supporters poured into the streets to celebrate another famous triumph for Scaloni's side, with thousands of fans flocking to Buenos Aires’ famous Obelisk, blocking Avenida 9 de Julio and the surrounding streets.
Around 800 officers from the Buenos Aires City Police were deployed as part of the security operation to control the flood of fans.
Fans sang traditional terrace anthems including ‘Muchachos,’ ‘El que no salta es un inglés’ ('Whoever doesn't jump is English') and a newer Argentina anthem, ‘La cuarta estrella' ('The Fourth Star').
Similar scenes and impromptu gatherings sprung up across the country, the cars and train-drivers honking their horns in delight.
Defeat is another bitter blow for England, who have reached at least the semi-final stage in four of their past five major tournaments without getting over the line.
Coach Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after his team appeared to hand the initiative to Argentina following Gordon's opener.
"In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close," said the German.
Captain Harry Kane said England's disappointment was profound, adding: "Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans."
Prior to kick off, ‘God Save the King’ was drowned out by Argentine singing in a crowd dominated by supporters in the light-blue-and-white shirts of the defending champions.
The build-up to the fixture was given added spice by a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Islas Malvinas, known in English as the Falkland Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Argentina's Vice-President Victoria Villarruel upped the stakes by calling the English "usurping pirates" before the game, despite efforts by head coach Scaloni to keep the focus on the game.
As they celebrated, Argentina's players held up a banner on the pitch saying "Las Malvinas son Argentinas."
Spain produced a masterclass to beat favourites France 2-0 in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, meaning Messi will face the country where he played most of his career for Barcelona.
One more challenge that Argentina – fuelled by its belief-enhancing win over England – won’t be shy in taking on.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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