The China Mail - Messi magic sends Argentina into World Cup final as England fall short

Messi proved that at 39 he can still drag his team from a goal behind to glory -- and the 2-1 victory in Atlanta on Wednesday keeps the South Americans' bid for back-to-back titles alive.

Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored Argentina's goals, but both were created by Messi.

Messi said the match, played against the backdrop of a lingering dispute between the countries over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, was "quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context".

At the end, some of Argentina's players held up a banner saying "Las Malvinas son argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine), flaunting FIFA rules that ban political symbols on the field of play.

England were agonisingly close to reaching their first World Cup final for 60 years, but coach Thomas Tuchel brought on defenders in place of attackers once Anthony Gordon had put the Three Lions ahead on 55 minutes.

Tuchel, the German hired with the specific goal of winning the World Cup, defended his tactics after his team appeared to hand the initiative to Argentina by sitting back for the final third of the game.

"In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close," Tuchel said.

Tuchel faced intense media scrutiny for his substitutions, notably the decision to bring goalscorer Gordon off for defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute.

"I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players," he said.

"We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.

"Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help."

The Times said: "The changes Tuchel made were not designed to put Argentina away, merely keep them at bay. And they are too good for that."

The Guardian commented: "The frustration was that the tactical shift invited Argentina to press on to the front foot. Tuchel played with fire. Argentina dominated the closing stages. It was their attack versus England’s defence."

- Mouthwatering final -

The come-from-behind victory sets up a contest between reigning European champions Spain and South American champions Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.

Spain stunned France in Tuesday's semi-final, winning 2-0 as Kylian Mbappe was finally silenced.

Argentina, followed at this World Cup by tens of thousands of fans who thronged Atlanta before the game, are bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.

"The other day I said this group never stops surprising me," said coach Lionel Scaloni. "And I'll tell you the truth, we're going to try to win, we're going to leave everything out there.

"It's incredible. We are unique, truly, and it's not arrogance, it's from the heart."

Scaloni's men have never looked completely convincing at this World Cup.

They fought their way through the knockout rounds, most memorably coming back from two goals down to beat Egypt in the last 16.

Messi was the hero then too. At an age when most players have retired, he remains the beating heart of the team -- scoring eight goals to sit joint top of the Golden Boot standings at this World Cup -- and providing four assists.

But it appeared his World Cup dream was dying after Gordon fired England ahead, getting in front of Nahuel Molina to steer in a cross from the right.

The Albiceleste, however, refused to be beaten, pouring forward in waves and pinning their opponents back.

Once Tuchel made his tactical adjustments, changing the complexion of the game, Fernandez drove in a superb equaliser from outside the penalty box after Messi found him with a pass.

With England pinned in their own penalty area, it looked inevitable that Argentina would win it.

Sure enough, substitute Martinez headed in Messi's deft cross in stoppage time to complete the comeback.

England's players, including Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, looked on in disbelief.

The defeat was another bitter blow for the Three Lions, who have reached at least the semi-final stage in four of their past five major tournaments without getting over the line.

W.Tam--ThChM