England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final in six decades were crushed by arch-rivals Argentina, as late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lisandro Martinez sealed a dramatic 2-1 win for the South Americans.

Anthony Gordon had given England the lead early in the second half, slotting home at the far post, but Argentina rallied strongly. Fernandez equalised with a stunning long-range effort before Martinez’s stoppage-time header sealed Argentina’s place in the World Cup final against Spain.

The clash brought back memories of one of football’s fiercest international rivalries, fuelled by Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ moment and political tensions surrounding the Falkland Islands. From the opening whistle, the game lived up to its fiery reputation, with Elliot Anderson fouled four times within the first ten minutes.

Argentina’s trademark gamesmanship was evident early on when Giuliano Simeone took a theatrical dive after Jordan Pickford tried to recover the ball from him. On the footballing front, clear chances were scarce before the hydration break, with both sides relying on set pieces. Reece James’ cross was comfortably collected by Emiliano Martinez, and the encounter became the first World Cup match since 1966 to go half an hour without a shot on goal.

Moments after that much-criticised stoppage, England nearly conceded when Julian Alvarez’s pass deflected off Lionel Messi’s boot following poor defensive play. The first real opportunity of the evening came soon after, but John Stones couldn’t steer Declan Rice’s dangerous free kick on target.

England continued to threaten from dead-ball situations. Reece James’ free kick was parried by Martinez, and Argentina scrambled to clear, allowing Messi to chase the loose ball. From that move, the Inter Miami star won a foul, and the resulting free kick reached Enzo Fernandez, who narrowly missed the top-left corner from distance.

While the South Americans struggled for rhythm, they compensated with aggressive tactics. Harry Kane was booked for speaking to the referee with his mouth covered, after Leandro Paredes complained. Argentina’s gamesmanship didn’t end there — in first-half stoppage time, a ball mysteriously rolled onto the pitch from Lionel Scaloni’s technical area just as England were preparing a quick throw-in.

Controversy continued with the final action of the half, when England were denied a corner despite Elliot Anderson’s cross being deflected behind. After the break, Argentina came out firing, forcing Pickford into a low save from Alvarez, who then earned a corner from the rebound.

Despite Argentina’s pressure, England looked the more composed side and finally broke the deadlock ten minutes into the half. Morgan Rogers, a surprise starter ahead of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, delivered a precise cross that found Gordon, who timed his run perfectly to finish from close range.

Argentina almost equalised instantly, but Djed Spence, once criticised for his defensive lapses, made a vital sliding tackle on Simeone as he bore down on goal. John Stones, whose selection as a free agent had raised eyebrows before the tournament, produced another crucial defensive block moments later to deny Nico Gonzalez’s header across goal.

Pickford continued his heroics, saving Gonzalez’s close-range header just before the second-half hydration break. Between those Argentine chances, Declan Rice had a rare opportunity to extend England’s lead, but his long-range strike lacked the power to trouble Martinez.

As the match entered its closing stages, Argentina intensified their attack. Alexis Mac Allister saw a header crash against the post, and his follow-up was safely claimed by the outstanding Pickford. The England goalkeeper was again at his best, tipping Fernandez’s fierce strike over the bar. However, he was helpless moments later as Fernandez struck a superb equaliser from distance after a clever corner routine.

England’s heartbreak was complete deep into stoppage time when Lisandro Martinez rose highest to head home Messi’s delivery, sending Argentina into their second consecutive World Cup final. The South Americans, already under scrutiny for controversial refereeing decisions in earlier matches against Algeria and Egypt, once again found a way to prevail on the biggest stage.