England 1-2 Argentina: A late comeback takes the World Cup holders to a second successive final, leaving the Brits heartbroken as Anthony Gordon takes the lead.
Lautaro Martínez wins for Argentina due to death (Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In the end, it was one game too far. England’s dream of ending a 60-year blemish will continue after a late 2-1 loss to Argentina in Atlanta.
Just as it had happened in this very stadium eight days earlier, the World Cup holders came from behind to win with an injury-time goal. After Enzo Fernandes equalized with five minutes left in normal time, Lautaro Martínez’s header sealed another painful clash between these footballing giants.
It was uncomfortable, unnerving and everything you expected. And sadly, England’s weakness in important games is back.
Spain will face Argentina in a mouth-watering final on Sunday. Thomas Tuchel’s side now have to face France in the third-place decider on Saturday.
Here are six talking points from Atlanta.
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1. Tuchel becomes Tinkerman (again)
Thomas Tuchel has not stuck to the same back four in all of England’s seven World Cup matches. And for the first time, Ezri Konsa was removed, Reece James moved in at right-back, and Jed Spence replaced Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
Tuchel also made another change at the right wing, with Morgan Rodgers becoming the latest player given an attacking role. Noni Maduke was sent off and Bukayo Saka started on the bench again.
Argentina, on the other hand, made only one change, Lionel Scaloni. Giuliano Simeone replaced Rodrigo de Paul.
Lionel Scaloni and Thomas Tuchel have both made changes (Image: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Spicy start
Not much football was played during the stop-start opening 15 minutes. To summarize how bad it was, Elliott Anderson alone received four fouls during that period.
There was a fierce battle in midfield between Jude Bellingham and Leandro Paredes, with altercations and tackles exchanged. But before the first hydration break, the football finally started to move.
England took advantage of their pace and were happy on the flanks. However, Argentina’s high level of technical ability was clear, with Lionel Messi drifting around the middle third and pulling the strings.
The score at half time was England 7-12 Argentina – due to a foul of course. Neither goalkeeper had a shot and Enzo Fernandes came close to scoring with a long-range shot that went over Jordan Pickford’s crossbar.
This was the first World Cup on record (since 1966) in which the team did not take a single shot in the first 30 minutes. But it was so addicting.
Tensions were high in the early stages (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
3. Rodgers proved Tuchel right
Tuchel said in his pre-match interview that he believed Rodgers could do “something special” in this game. And I see!
Declan Rice picked up the loose ball, ran the Aston Villa star down the right, and sent an exciting cross into the penalty area, where Anthony Gordon tucked it in. Barcelona’s £69m new signing defied the situation and became England’s fourth different scorer at this World Cup.
This breakthrough also came at an ideal time, as Argentina twice came close to scoring immediately after the restart, thanks to Julián Alvarez. La Albiceleste quickly got up and probed the inside of England’s box.
Anthony Gordon coolly converts Morgan Rogers’ cross (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
4. Spence England’s new cult hero?
Argentina looked to react quickly and it seemed certain that Fernandes would equalize through Simeone’s goal. Spence definitely came on with the tackle of the tournament, sliding and nudging the ball out of play for the corner. His big celebration said it all.
The Tottenham defender had an excellent performance in the tournament. From a questionable call-up and mistake against the Democratic Republic of the Congo to a cameo and goal-saving tackle against Norway. He may be the center of attention for everyone on social media, but on the biggest stage he stole the show with his football.
Who will win the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.
Jed Spence celebrates his tackle like it’s a goal (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
5. Fernandes gets third time lucky
Despite repeated attempts, the ball did not reach Fernandes until the 85th minute. Messi’s short corner hit the Chelsea midfielder, who found space to fire another long-range shot.
This time it hit the back of the net and Pickford, sprawled out, couldn’t make it in time. Tuchel made defensive changes and England started to slow down, but that will no doubt be a talking point for developments after the game.
And the crowd, mostly Argentinians, was in a frenzy for a winner. That was the kind of spirit we witnessed from Scaloni’s men against Egypt last Tuesday.
Enzo Fernandes equalized with Parler (Image: Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
6. Super sub Martinez breaks English hearts
suffering. It’s almost inexplicable.
When one of Argentina’s subs won the match, the other side could not celebrate either. Martinez scored for the second game in a row after 90 minutes, darting in at the back post to put England in trouble.
England were unable to react to Fernandes’ equalizing goal and were unable to react once they were behind. The Three Lions are over.
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