world cup,<\/span> Lionel Messi and Argentina dominated the final moments.<\/p>\nWednesday’s World Cup semi-final win over England – Argentina trailed 1-0 late but won 2-1 – was just another in a long list of late-game dramatics by the defending champions, who will face Spain in Sunday’s final.<\/p>\n
Among them were two comebacks from a late deficit in the knockout stage, when they came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Egypt and then from a 1-0 deficit to beat England.<\/p>\n
Here’s a breakdown of how Argentina saved its best until last at this World Cup.<\/p>\n
June 22: Messi secures group stage victory<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 90+5<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 2, Austria 0<\/p>\n
In the second group stage match, the result was not necessarily in doubt. Argentina led 1-0 heading into additional time in the second half. Lionel Messi gets his own rebound<\/span> He then weaved between three defenders to score the goal that sealed the victory.<\/p>\nJune 27: Messi arrives late again<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 80th<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 3, Jordan 1<\/p>\n
In the final group match, Argentina led 2-1, with Lionel Messi, who had just come on as a substitute, performing well. Free kick from approximately 25 yards<\/span> Outside. He saw an opening in the wall of Jordan’s defenders and took a low shot, but the shot flew once and into the back of the goal for the clincher.<\/p>\nJuly 3: Martinez and own goal vs Cape Verde<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 92nd then 111th<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2<\/p>\n
The first match of the finals was an eventful one, with Argentina scoring twice in extra time and needing both goals to stop Cape Verde’s Cinderella story. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute for a 2-1 lead. Messi served the perfect ball<\/span> A shot from a corner kick turned into an own goal in the 111th minute, giving Argentina a 3-2 victory.<\/p>\nJuly 7: 3-goal rally vs. Egypt<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 79th, 83rd, then 90+2<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 3, Egypt 2<\/p>\n
It looked like the champions were all set in the round of 16, but Egypt took a 2-0 lead with 11 minutes remaining until stoppage time. and, tournament comeback<\/span> Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute, Messi connected four minutes later and Enzo Fernandes scored the winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time.<\/p>\nJuly 11: Two late goals defeat Switzerland<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 112th, then 120+1<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 3, Switzerland 1<\/p>\n
Although Switzerland were down to 10 players, their quarterfinal match against Argentina was pushed to extra time. And finally, Argentina has made a breakthrough.<\/span> Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez scored the winning goal in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martinez scored in the final minute to give the champions a 3-1 victory and advance to the semi-finals.<\/p>\nJuly 15: Argentina advances to final in another rally<\/h2>\n
\u2014 Minutes: 85th, then 90+2<\/p>\n
\u2014 Final: Argentina 2, England 1<\/p>\n
Enzo Fernandes scored in the 85th minute, Lautaro Martinez scored in the second minute of stoppage time, and Messi assisted on both goals. Argentina recovered from a 1-0 deficit.<\/span> They defeated England 2-1 and advanced to the World Cup final. These goals took Argentina to an astonishing 11 points in the first 79 minutes of this tournament.<\/p>\n___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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