Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late goals to grab a 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-final today to send the reigning champions into the weekend final against Spain.
Just when England appeared set for victory after Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal, Reuters said that Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got their reward as Fernandez levelled before Martinez completed the victory in the 92nd minute with Lionel Messi providing the pass for the equaliser and the cross for the winner.
Reuters said that with England inexplicably parked in their own end, an Argentina equaliser felt inevitable and, after waves of late pressure, Fernandez finally broke through in the 85th minute when Messi found him room on the edge of the box to fire home from 20 metres past Jordan Pickford into the corner.
Martinez, an 81st-minute substitute, let loose the winner early in added time when Alexis Mac Allister drove a shot off the post that Messi recovered. The 39-year-old talisman drove down the right to send in a brilliant ball for Martinez to head home.
For England, the defeat was a big blow after matching Argentina for much of the contest.
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