For more than eighty minutes, the English dream seemed closer than ever before. The team of the German, Thomas Tuchel, had managed to take the lead and lead the match where it wanted, imposing patience, defensive discipline and strict tactics. The slogan "It's Coming Home" was heard more and more loudly in the stands, as England saw the road to another final opening before them.

Opposite them, however, stood a team that has learned not to give up. Lionel Scaloni's Argentina proved once again that the great champions are not judged when they are ahead, but when they are with their backs against the wall. That is precisely where the reaction of a team that carries the history, the jersey and the self-confidence of the world champion was born.



The first half had few emotions, many personal duels and even more tactics. Both teams were more careful not to concede goals than to create them. The spaces were suffocatingly closed and any mistake could have proved fatal. The most important moment belonged to Enzo Fernandez, whose powerful shot went just over Jordan Pickford's goal.

The picture changed after the break. The Argentines raised the intensity, pressed high and attempted to trap England in their own half. And yet, just when they looked most threatening, they were dealt a blow. A quick counterattack brought Anthony Gordon across the goal and the English striker made no mistake, giving the "Three Lions" the lead in the 55th minute.

The rest, however, looked more like a siege. England retreated too far, abandoned any desire to keep the ball and allowed the Albiceleste to settle permanently outside their area. Pickford's saves, headers that went just wide and McAllister's crossbar seemed to suggest that the pressure would hardly go unnoticed. And then the man who continues to define the greatest moments in world football appeared again.

Lionel Messi didn't need to score. Two of his inspirations were enough. In the 85th minute he found Enzo Fernandez in perfect fashion, who with a superb shot brought the balance. And while everything pointed to extra time, in added time the Argentina captain created again, this time for Lautaro Martinez, who with a cool header completed another unprecedented turnaround, in 90’ +2’.