Just when England looked destined to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, Lionel Scaloni’s side once again showed the resilience, belief and big-match temperament that has defined their golden generation.

The match at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium was played at a frantic pace from the opening whistle, with England frustrating the South Americans for long periods through a disciplined defensive display and quick transitions on the counter-attack.

Anthony Gordon - X

Argentina enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but Thomas Tuchel’s men remained organised and compact, denying Lionel Messi the time and space he usually thrives on. Emiliano Martínez was also called into action early to keep England at bay as both sides searched for the breakthrough in an absorbing tactical battle.

England finally found the opening goal 10 minutes into the second half. After soaking up sustained Argentine pressure, the Three Lions broke quickly through midfield before Anthony Gordon timed his run to perfection. The winger kept his composure and drove his finish beyond Martínez to spark wild celebrations among the England supporters, who suddenly dared to believe that decades of heartbreak could finally be ending.

With the clock ticking down, England appeared to have one foot in the final. Their defenders continued to throw themselves in front of every shot, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several important saves to preserve the lead.

But champions rarely surrender quietly, as they have proven already at the World Cup, and there weren't about to start now.

As the match entered its closing stages, Messi began to exert his influence. The 39-year-old captain dropped deeper to collect possession, dictating the tempo and dragging England’s defenders out of position with his trademark vision and movement.

The pressure eventually told five minutes from time.

Following another sweeping Argentine attack, Enzo Fernández found space on the edge of the area before unleashing a thunderous strike that flew beyond Pickford and into the back of the net to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute.

La Albiceleste celebrating EnzoFernández's equaliser - X

The equaliser transformed the contest, with Argentina sensing that England were suddenly vulnerable after spending so much energy protecting their slender advantage.

Then came the decisive moment deep into stoppage time.

Messi, still capable of producing moments of magic on football’s biggest stage, drifted into space on the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area. Substitute Lautaro Martínez timed his run brilliantly and powered a clinical header past Pickford to complete an astonishing turnaround and send the Argentine bench into delirium.

Stoppage time seemed like it would never end, but when they final whistle blew, it sparked emotional celebrations from the South Americans, who had once again demonstrated why they remain one of world football’s great tournament teams.

For England, it was another painful chapter in their long history of World Cup near-misses. After defending so courageously for much of the contest, they were left devastated by conceding twice in the closing moments.

Argentina will now turn their attention to Sunday’s eagerly anticipated final against Spain as they attempt to become the first nation in more than six decades to successfully defend the World Cup.

Confidence will be high after another display of courage and character, while England must quickly regroup before facing France in the third-place play-off, knowing they came agonisingly close to ending their long wait for football’s biggest prize.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport