Late Tango: Argentina Stuns England
The atmosphere inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, was pregnant with the sense of history repeating itself. Every time Argentina and England collide on the pitch in a World Cup encounter, there is always that feel of footballing history hovering around. This game however was not an echo of the 1986 or 1998 encounters but a fierce game of modern day chess.
The first half of the game played like it would do in a tough semifinal game, it was cautious, rough and full of physicality as each side was unwilling to give way. The English midfield machine was showing discipline, strangling Argentina's passing lanes, and the Albiceleste defense was continually thwarting Harry Kane's efforts to go into the number ten role.
Gordon Sparks English Dreams
This tactical stalemate was broken in the 55th minute. In what seemed like a perfectly timed play of quick, one-touch passing by Jude Bellingham, the ball was switched to the flank for Anthony Gordon. This new signing on loan from Barcelona slotted inwards with deadly accuracy, evading his marker with ease, and drilled a precise finish under an extended Emiliano Martínez.
The next 30 minutes saw England completely in control. They were composed and compact, looking like a team that had finally got over their fear of competing with some of the best football teams in the world in the knock-out stage of competitions.
Then came the man who is regarded as the best ever.
The Five-Minute Masterclass
With the clock ticking past the 80-minute mark, Lionel Messi found himself deep inside the midfield zone, effectively getting behind the wheels of a stalling engine for Argentina:
Equalizing Goal (85 Minutes): Messi received the ball in a congested area just outside the 18-yard box. Distracting three English defenders with his dribbling prowess, he played a perfectly timed blind backheel to his compatriot Enzo Fernández. Fernández made no mistake and scored a wonderful curling goal into the top right corner of the net. 1-1.
Heartbreaking Goal (91 Minutes): As England appeared visibly rattled and confused due to the prospect of extra time, Argentina struck for the second time. An unmarked ball in the midfield was grabbed by Alexis Mac Allister who passed the ball to Messi. Messi then with one clever touch played a penetrating through-ball to Lautaro Martínez who came off the substitutes' bench.
A Date with Destiny
As the final whistle blew, the difference between the two sides was quite obvious on the field. The players from England fell onto the field in a state of disbelief, pondering why the opportunity of going to the finals had just slipped away from their hands in a period of only six minutes.
The hope for the Argentinians of becoming consecutive champions of the world is still alive.
The team will now travel to New Jersey to face the tough competition of Spain in MetLife stadium next Sunday. One last hurdle awaits the legendary Lionel Messi.
