Argentina beat England to reach World Cup final
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup semi-final match, securing their spot in the final against Spain. Lionel Messi provided two crucial assists in the final minutes to complete a comeback victory.
Why it matters
The result sets up a high-stakes final as Argentina attempts to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in the 1960s.
<p>Lionel Messi sent in the cross that delivered Argentina a second consecutive World Cup final after another improbable comeback.</p> <p>Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Messi fed a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Thursday.</p> <p>Messi also provided the assist to Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute for the equalising goal.</p> <p>At the end of another exhausting match — another match in which Argentina was stretched to the final minutes — Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.</p> <p>Argentina, who will play Spain in the final on Monday (NZT) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.</p> <p><b>Watch the FIFA World Cup final at 7am on Monday, July 20,…
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