England were left heartbroken with their World Cup dreams shattered as Argentina struck twice late on to come from behind and win a dramatic semi-final in Atlanta.
Thomas Tuchel’s side looked on course to reach England’s first men’s World Cup final since their win in 1966 when Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in a feisty encounter after 55 minutes.
Argentina, however, were inspired and turned the contest around when Enzo Fernandez struck a magnificent equaliser with five minutes left, before Lautaro Martinez headed in an injury-time winner from Lionel Messi’s right-foot cross.
England’s wait for success goes on as they now face France in the third-place play-off, while Argentina will attempt to retain their crown against Spain on Sunday.
The searing atmosphere inside and outside Atlanta Stadium was mirrored by a feisty first half littered with 19 fouls, as American referee Ismail Elfath struggled to keep control.
Fernandez came closest with a long-range drive just off target, but it was England who made the breakthrough when Morgan Rogers justified his selection with a perfect right-wing cross for Gordon to score at the far post.
Argentina were stung into action and it required a brilliant reflex save from England keeper Jordan Pickford to keep out Nico Gonzalez’s header.
As England came under severe pressure, Alexis Mac Allister headed against the post before Argentina finally levelled five minutes from time, beating the defiant Pickford with a 25-yard drive.
Tuchel had set up England to defend the box with four central defenders, but Argentina’s momentum was unstoppable, Mac Allister hitting the woodwork once more before England finally crumbled in the 92nd minute and Martinez scored to settle an enthralling semi-final.
England analysis: Tuchel’s caution costly
England, as they have done on other occasions when victory seemed theirs for the taking, most recently under Sir Gareth Southgate, were suddenly consumed by caution – and head coach Tuchel must take his share of responsibility.
From a position of relative control, only relative in this sort of atmosphere against Argentina in a World Cup semi-final, Tuchel and England conceded the initiative with devastating consequences.
The dream was coming into view after Gordon’s goal but then England fell back, ending overloaded with defenders – including when Ezri Konsa came on for goalscorer Gordon with 18 minutes left – and this time the strategy of sending on the giant figure of Dan Burn failed.
England were pinned in their own penalty area under siege, as Tuchel went to back five prematurely. It invited pressure and England eventually they cracked.
Of all the disappointments in recent years, this may be England’s most painful because they were so close – only to suffer a familiar bitter ending.
Messi Argentina’s inspiration once more
Lionel Messi left it late to exert serious influence amid the theatre of this World Cup semi-final, but when he did he was once again Argentina’s inspiration.
In a side that has simply refused to be beaten at this World Cup, Messi set up Fernandez for his thunderous equaliser five minutes from time then crossed – with his right foot – for Martinez’s stoppage-time winner that left England devastated.
Argentina improved when they moved away from the dark arts that characterised their first-half performance, simply overpowering England as they shrunk into their defensive shell with wave after wave of late attacks.
Messi now has the chance to add a second World Cup at the age of 39, where he will come up against Spain’s young pretender to his crown, Lamine Yamal, and the current European champions, who were so outstanding in their defeat of France in the other semi-final.
