Super sub Lautaro Martinez struck a stoppage-time winner as holders Argentina returned to the World Cup final with a 2-1 victory over England that condemned The Three Lions to another heartbreaking loss.
Thomas Tuchel’s men looked to be on course to end a 60-year wait to progress from a World Cup semi-final when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock with a smart finish from Morgan Rogers’ cross on 55 minutes.
It sparked what had been a fiery and tense stalemate into a thrilling contest as Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to move up several gears and lay siege to the England goal.
Jordan Pickford made a superb save to deny Nico Gonzalez and Alexis Mac Allister hit the post with a header, before Enzo Fernandez took Messi’s pass and thundered a 25-yard leveller into the corner five minutes from time.
Messi then conjured up his second assist of the game in the second minute of stoppage time with a wonderful cross for Lautaro Martinez to head home after Mac Allister had again hit the woodwork.
La Albiceleste will now meet Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. England will face France in the third-place final on Saturday.
