England were 30 minutes from a World Cup final before Argentina flipped the semi-final. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Lionel Messi finished with two assists as Argentina came back to win England vs Argentina 1-2. The late swing was brutal for England and familiar for an Argentina side that have now won their last five World Cup matches.

Messi decided the moments that mattered

For long spells, England made this awkward for Lionel Scaloni's side. They kept their shape, limited clean openings and looked set to carry Gordon's goal deep into the second half.

That goal came when Morgan Rogers crossed from the right and Gordon finished in the 55th minute. It was England's clearest attacking moment of the night and a reminder of how productive Gordon has been in this tournament. He now has 3 goal contributions in 6 World Cup appearances.

But this game turned on Messi's ability to keep finding the right pass at the right time. He did not score, yet he still controlled the result. His first assist set up Enzo Fernández for the equaliser in the 85th minute, a stunning long-range effort that changed the mood of the tie immediately.

Then came the winner in the 90+2 minute. Messi delivered the cross and Lautaro Martínez headed in to complete the turnaround. Martínez now has 3 World Cup goals, and this was exactly the kind of poacher's finish Inter rely on from him.

Messi's numbers matched the eye test. He recorded 2 assists and an 8.6 rating, the highest on the pitch. In a game that stayed tight for most of the night, that level of influence was enough.

Gordon gave England a route into the game

England did not create much before the break and failed to register a shot on target in the first half. Gordon's goal changed the shape of the match because it gave Thomas Tuchel's side something to protect.

There was also a fair point in the selection call that helped create it. Rogers started on the right ahead of other options and justified it with the cross for Gordon's finish. Gordon's movement was sharp, and his timing into the box was better than anything England had shown in the first 45 minutes.

His tournament has carried real weight. The Newcastle forward now has 1 World Cup goal and those 3 goal contributions overall, which is a strong return in a side that often leaned on moments rather than sustained attacking control.

Gordon's own view of playing for England has never been subtle. He told independent.co.uk: "It was never a thought for me. That's no disrespect to Scotland, that's all. I've been tunnel-visioned on playing for England since I was five or six years old. Nothing could ever shake that off."

That made his semi-final goal feel significant, even if the ending spoiled it. England had enough energy in wide areas and enough individual resistance to stay alive, with Jude Bellingham and others fighting for territory, but once Argentina levelled, the game tilted fast.

England's resistance gave way at the end

England defended for long periods with discipline, and the scoreline only changed late, but the pressure kept building. Argentina had the patience to wait for one opening and then punish the next.

The hardest part for England is that they were close. They had the lead with five minutes of normal time left. Then Fernández struck from distance and Messi produced one more decisive delivery for Martínez.

This was not a night where Argentina overwhelmed England from the first whistle. It was a night where their biggest players were cleaner in the key moments. Messi supplied both final passes, Fernández found the equaliser, and Martínez finished the job in stoppage time as Argentina moved into the World Cup final.

FAQ

How did Argentina beat England in the World Cup semi-final?

England took the lead when Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute from Morgan Rogers' cross. Argentina turned it around late, with Enzo Fernández equalising in the 85th minute from long range before Lautaro Martínez headed in Lionel Messi's cross in the 90+2 minute.

Did Lionel Messi score against England in the World Cup semi-final?

No. Messi did not score in the semi-final. He made the decisive contribution with two assists, one for Enzo Fernández's 85th-minute equaliser and another for Lautaro Martínez's 90+2 minute winner.

Why was Anthony Gordon one of England's bright spots against Argentina?

Gordon gave England their only lead by scoring in the 55th minute and now has 3 goal contributions in the tournament. He has made 6 World Cup appearances, and his semi-final goal was his first of the competition.

What made Messi the key player in England vs Argentina?

Messi finished the match with 2 assists and an 8.6 rating, the highest on the pitch. England stayed in the game for long spells, but once Argentina found the equaliser, Messi's final ball decided the semi-final.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →