England conceded two heartbreaking late goals in their chaotic World Cup semi-final with old rivals Argentina as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez sent the South Americans into the final at the expense of the Three Lions.
With 55 minutes on the clock, Anthony Gordon converted Morgan Rogers’ sumptuous cross from close range to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a lead to defend in Atlanta but the England boss made a number of defensive substitutions and they couldn’t hold on.
Argentina pressure told when Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez thumped home a long-range thunderbolt on 86 minutes and Martinez headed home from close range in injury time to complete the turnaround and book their spot in Sunday’s final against Spain, who comprehensively shut down France in the other semi-final.
Lionel Messi is into a second straight final as the defending champions have a chance to go back to back but for England and Tuchel, the inquest will begin as to how they managed to squander such a strong position.
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Were substitutions the difference?
After 72 minutes it looked as though Tuchel has resigned his team to a defensive effort that may have been too big of a task by bringing Konsa on for Gordon.
The further bringing on O’Reilly and Burn left England with no proper attacking organisation when asked to go back at Argentina after 85 minutes.
Argentina brought on balanced subs in both defence in attack to be able to go on the front foot, but then have no issue in holding the line when England were forced to try and find a goal.
Argentina played a masterful game plan
Obviously the plan was not to concede, but from the start Argentina wanted a physical and demanding game, knowing they could come on strong late on as they have done so well at this tournament so far.
Messi had a fantastic second-half, floating crosses in from every angle, eventually someone was going to be on the end of it.
England sat back too far after taking the lead and Argentina are the kind of team that will kindly accept the invitation to come and attack. There is only so long you can keep the world champions out.
Full time: England 1-2 Argentina
Argentina have completed yet another last-ditch comeback against the odds to send themself to a second consecutive World Cup final where they will face European champions Spain for all the marbles.
Once again English hearts are broken in a semi final. They gave the fans so much to celebrate but it was just not enough on the night against the currently reigning best team in the world.
Substitutions: England 1-2 Argentina
90+4 mins: Rashford and Toney come on for Stones and Spence.
It has to be now…
Goal! England 1-2 Argentina
90+2 mins: Lautaro Martinez as a free header off a searching Messi ball.
This may be the dagger that sends England home – what a substitution.
England 1-1 Argentina
89 mins: Stones has gone down with a head injury.
England now have six defenders on the pitch and will have to try and find a winner, with Argentina carrying all the momentum.
Goal! England 1-1 Argentina
85 mins: After half a dozen attempts Enzo Fernandez has finally found the back of the net with a super strike that snuck through the defenders and just curls away from the out-stretched Pickford.
That is game on…
Substitution: England 1-0 Argentina
81 mins: It is all-or-nothing for Argentina as Scaloni brings on Lautaro Martinez for Tagliafico.
England add extra fresh legs in defence as Burn and Nico O’Reilly come on to replace Rice and James
This will be a welcomed breather for England, who are clinging onto their narrow lead
Off the post! England 1-0 Argentina
76 mins: De Paul whips in a great ball which finds Mac Allister beating both Pickford and the net as it thumps off the post.
The crosses being swung in by Argentina are looking incredibly dangerous – the fans have found their voice again
Substitutions: England 1-0 Argentina
73 mins: England take off goal scorer Gordon for Konsa to settle in for the monster defensive effort to come.
Argentina have made a triple substitution – Lisandro Martinez, Molina and Simeone are replaced by De Paul, Otamendi and Montiel.
