How Lionel Messi’s Argentina punished England’s retreat to turn the FIFA World Cup semifinal on its head in 10 minutes | Football News
England are looking for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead, and as the clock ticked down, England did what they had done against Norway and Mexico earlier in the tournament, protecting the advantage.But against Lionel Messi and Argentina, that plan only lasted so long.Messi made two assists in the final minutes as Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday (local time) and book a place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain. Enzo Fernandez equalized in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed in Messi’s cross in the second minute of stoppage time to complete another Argentina comeback.It was an example of finding Argentina late in games. They have now scored 11 goals after the 75th minute of this tournament.For most of the first 60 minutes of the game, England managed Messi well. Tuchel’s side fill central areas when Argentina build from the back. Elliot Anderson stayed close to Messi every time the ball was played to him, refusing to allow the Argentine captain time to return. England also ensured they always had numbers in the middle of the pitch, with Harry Kane regularly dropping deep to help close down lanes.This makes life uncomfortable for Messi. By half-time, the 39-year-old had lost possession 15 times, more than in the opening 45 minutes of any match he played in the previous two World Cups or Copa America tournaments. Neither side is willing to take unnecessary risks. The opening half only managed three shots, while the physical battle resulted in 19 fouls as both teams tried to deny space rather than create it.Even after Gordon’s goal, England continued to deny Messi space. In the 60th minute, he created only one chance, while none of his three crosses reached the team.But slowly the game changed.
England’s desire to continue will not go unchallenged by Argentina’s masterclass
In an attempt to protect their lead, England dropped back deeper. Tuchel made changes to strengthen the defence, although the substitutions also invited Argentina forward. Between Gordon’s goal and Lautaro Martinez’s winner, England had just 12 percent of possession.This allowed Messi and his troops to dictate the game.Instead of receiving the ball in congested central areas, he began drifting into wider positions where he had more time and space. Argentina also found more room through Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister, stretching England’s compact defensive shape.About 10 minutes before the equalizer, De Paul delivered a cross from the right that found Mac Allister, whose effort hit the post. It served as a warning that England were struggling to get out of their own half.Not long after, Argentina created another chance. While England’s eight outfield players were positioned around their own penalty area to mark Argentina’s three attackers, Enzo Fernandez, Messi and De Paul were left with space outside the box.Fernandez collected the ball, drove forward and forced Jordan Pickford into a save. The resulting corner eventually led to Argentina’s equalizer in the 85th minute.
To protect the lead, England is getting closer and closer to its own goal, hoping to build the kind of impenetrable wall it had when it won to defeat Mexico in the round of 16 despite 10 players.Tuchel substituted defender Reece James for Dan Burn, and midfielder Declan Rice for defender Nico O’Reilly in the 82nd minute.The equalizer came exactly where England were left exposed.Messi collected the ball on the right and found Fernandez outside the penalty area. Jude Bellingham, showing signs of fatigue, could not close him down long enough as the Chelsea midfielder struck from distance to make it 1-1.With nine minutes of stoppage time added on, Scaloni’s players continued to push forward as England struggled to move their defensive line up the pitch.The decisive moment came in the second minute of added time.Argentina keep coming and England’s wall keeps coming down. The defending champions hit the crossbar and missed another goalmouth header before Martinez sealed it with a powerful close-range header when England defenders lost him to a cross from Messi. Lautaro Martinez timed his run perfectly, rose above his mark and headed past Pickford to send Argentina to another World Cup final.England protected leads against Mexico and Norway earlier in the tournament by relying on their defensive form. Against Argentina, however, sitting back only added to the pressure.By allowing the territory, England allowed Messi to influence the game. Argentina kept moving the ball, kept stretching the defense and finally found the openings they needed.“They got tired,” said Martinez after the game. “They pressed for 60 minutes and then just ran out of steam. They got their goal and then sat down.
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