Argentina, the nine lives of a champion – Messi inspires comeback to reach the final as England pay the price

It was expected that there would be plenty of tension in the second semifinal. The two national teams have a serious history of encounters, and from the very first minute we witnessed a true football battle on the pitch. Crunching tackles were flying in, with the Gauchos leading the way in that department, but Thomas Tuchel’s men also knew how to respond and deliver a challenge when needed.

There was not much quality football on display in the opening period; the tension dominated proceedings. The only moment worth mentioning was Enzo Fernandez’s long-range effort, with the ball flying just over the crossbar.

It would later turn out that the English had failed to learn their lesson from that attempt...

The second half was the complete opposite. Argentina opened the second period with two huge chances for Alvarez, but Pickford kept his side’s net untouched.

Shortly afterwards, England took the lead. Rice won the ball back and played in Rogers, who sent a cross to the far post, where Gordon escaped the sleepy Molina and beat Emiliano Martinez.

Scaloni had already strengthened his attack by bringing on Lautaro, and that substitution proved to be the decisive one. Mac Allister hit the post once again, and as the move continued, the ball fell to Messi. He delivered a cross into the heart of the penalty area, and Lautaro rose between England’s towering defenders to complete the comeback and send Argentina into the final.