England missed out on their first World Cup final since 1966 after a stunning late turnaround from rivals Argentina saw the holders earn a 2-1 victory thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner.
The Three Lions were leading 1-0 with five minutes of normal time remaining in Atlanta through Anthony Gordon’s early second-half opener.
But two goals in the space of seven minutes saw a remarkable comeback from Argentina as Enzo Fernandez levelled with a wonderful 85th-minute strike from distance before substitute Martinez headed in a 92nd-minute winner.
Argentina’s turnaround came after England boss Thomas Tuchel made a number of defensive substitutions as England looked to hold on to their lead.
But following the changes, Argentina took firm control of the game and deservedly came back, with Lionel Messi playing a huge influence as he assisted Martinez’s winner.
Lionel Scaloni’s side will now face Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey, while England will take on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami.
‘Tuchel got it wrong’
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Atlanta:
“It feels overridingly that Tuchel got that wrong. The man who the FA employed because of his brilliant tactical nous in knockout games has to hold his hands up.
“England scored and had the upper hand, and Tuchel immediately shifted to try to hold what they had.
Lionel Messi (left) is congratulated by Harry Kane at full time
“Sitting deep for more than half an hour with stoppage time to go shifted all the momentum to Argentina. There were warning signs aplenty before they scored the equaliser, and more before the winner. Argentina could have scored more, hitting the post twice in a mad last quarter of the game.
“England can have no complaints. The better side won. But there’s an awful feeling that this was to a large degree self-inflicted.”
The key moments from Atlanta…
Elliot Anderson shows his disappointment at England’s loss
3: FLASHPOINT! Fernandez catches Anderson, which leads to both sets of players pushing and shoving.
33: FIRST SHOT! Stones heads wide from Rice’s free-kick for the first attempt of the game.
HALF TIME! Nineteen fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on target.
47: FIRST SHOT ON TARGET! Alvarez tests Pickford at his near post.
55: GOAL! England take the lead through Gordon’s back-post finish from Rogers’ superb cross.
69: PICKFORD SAVES! Pickford gets down to one-handedly push away Nico Gonzalez’s flicked header from Messi’s cross.
76: ARGENTINA HIT THE POST! Mac Allister heads De Paul’s brilliant cross onto the post with Pickford rooted to the spot.
85: GOAL! Fernandez fires in a stunning leveller from distance after huge Argentina pressure.
90+2: GOAL! Argentina complete the turnaround as Lautaro Martinez heads in.
Leave a Reply