Martinez sinks England with late header as Argentina set up Spain showdown

KUALA LUMPUR - Argentina staged a magnificent late fightback to edge England 2-1 and book their place in a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final at the Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, United States, on Wednesday.

In an intriguing semi-final, striker Lautaro Martinez turned hero for La Albiceleste as his header in injury time of the second half sent Lionel Scaloni’s side to a title showdown against 2010 champions Spain in New York/New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey on Sunday (July 19).

Anthony Gordon had earlier put England ahead in the 54th minute before defending champions Argentina equalised through Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute.

England could have put Argentina to bed if only they had gone for the kill after taking the lead, instead they sat back and invited Argentina to come at them.

After a series of misses and two attempts which hit the post, Lionel Messi and Co finally pulled off yet another one of their famous fightbacks in this edition of the World Cup Finals.

The opening half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides engaged in a feisty, stop-start battle and struggling to create clear-cut chances until the 36th minute.

The first real opening came when Reece James curled in a free-kick from the left, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reacted well to parry away the Chelsea right-back’s effort.

Argentina responded two minutes later through midfielder Fernandez, whose long-range strike sailed over the crossbar in the 38th minute, as the two sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

Argentina threatened immediately after the restart when striker Julian Alvarez forced goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into an excellent near-post save in the 47th minute.

After weathering Argentina’s sustained pressure, England struck first in the 54th minute when winger Gordon timed his run perfectly to tuck away Morgan Rogers' cross from the right.

Three-time champions Argentina nearly equalised when substitute Nico Gonzalez got his head onto skipper Messi’s fantastic inswinging ball into the area, forcing a super low stop from Pickford to keep England ahead in the 69th minute.

The Three Lions survived a major scare in the 75th minute when Alexis Mac Allister's header came off the inside of the post to Pickford's right before the midfielder's follow-up effort was kept out by the goalkeeper a minute later.

Argentina's persistent pressure finally paid off in the 85th minute when Fernandez unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to restore parity.

Argentina were not done yet as Mac Allister's effort struck the post in the second minute of injury time before Martinez powered home a towering header moments later to complete a dramatic turnaround and break England hearts.

The result saw Thomas Tuchel’s side having to settle for the third place play off against France in Miami Stadium, Miami, on Saturday (July 18), after the two-time champions went down 2-0 to Spain in the other last four tie on Tuesday (July 14).

So, as England continue to wait for the coveted trophy to come home, Argentina will be eyeing a fourth World Cup crown in what could well be Messi’s final dance on football’s grandest stage. - BERNAMA