Sports Desk, Daily Agrabarta
England’s long wait for a return to the World Cup final has stretched to 64 years, after Argentina came from behind to beat them 2-1 in a dramatic second semi-final at Atlanta Stadium. It is a defeat that will sting more than most, given how close Thomas Tuchel’s side came to ending a wait that stretches back to their only World Cup triumph in 1966.
A Lead That Slipped Away in the Final Minutes
England had done the hardest part first. In the 55th minute they broke the deadlock, giving themselves a real chance to reach a first World Cup final since 1966. But rather than push for a second goal to kill the game off, England sat back, and Argentina made them pay for it in agonising fashion.
The equaliser arrived in the 85th minute, when Enzo Fernández struck a stunning effort from outside the penalty area that flew into the net, leveling the score at 1-1 with normal time almost gone. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, Lionel Messi delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Lautaro Martínez rose above his marker to head home the winner, sending Argentina through to Sunday’s final and ending England’s hopes at the semi-final stage once again.
