WC Vibes: Messi, Argentina back from the brink, againArgentina do it again. Lionel Messi's two assists spark a late 2-1 comeback over England to book a World Cup final showdown with Spain.
Lionel Messi added another chapter to his astonishing career, inspiring Argentina to victory in their World Cup semi-final against England. The defending champions were up against it, trailing to Anthony Gordon’s goal until the 85th minute in Atlanta before Messi worked his magic. This time the tournament’s all-time leading scorer did not score. But he teed up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser and delivered the cross for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner, sealing a 2-1 victory and setting up the final against Spain. Another chapter was added to Argentina’s rollercoaster ride in this World Cup continued. A thrilling Round of 32 win over Cape Verde (3-2) after extra time followed an incredible win in the Round of 16 where Argentina trailed 2-0 till the 79th minute and scored three in 13 minutes to complete a turnaround against Egypt. In the quarter-final, Argentina rallied once again in extra time to complete a 3-1 over 10-man Switzerland. I mean, who is writing Argentina’s script in this World Cup? This surely is not for the faint-hearted. Also Read: Argentina in final after another Messi-inspired comeback “These are special feelings. I think the squad could feel it and this was a game the Argentine people really wanted to win, and so did we,” Messi, 39, said after facing England for the first time in his career. “This is still a special fixture.” Messi was not quite able to emulate Diego Maradona, who scored two iconic goals in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England. But he will settle for the two assists, and he has already emulated his legendary predecessor by winning the trophy four years ago in Qatar. Now, after Argentina maintained their incredible record of never having lost a World Cup semi-final, Messi will appear in a second straight final, and a third overall. Argentina are aiming to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and Messi, the sole survivor from the side that lost to Germany in 2014, will become just the second player after Brazilian great Cafu to appear in three finals. “It is crazy to be playing in back-to-back finals,” Messi said. England bowed out of the World Cup in painfully familiar fashion — failing to capitalise on a 1-0 lead before inviting pressure, surrendering the initiative and losing. It was the third time since the 2018 World Cup that England have lost a major championship semi-final or final after taking the lead. I DREAMT OF SCORING THIS GOAL: LAUTARO Argentina’s World Cup semi-final match-winner Lautaro Martinez said he had “dreamt” of scoring the goal which took his team through to its second successive World Cup final. “I dreamt it. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score,” Lautaro said after his heroics off the bench in Atlanta. “And I said on the bench to Facundo Medina that I was going to come on and score.”
The World Cup holders were trailing 1-0 when the Inter Milan striker was sent on in the 81st minute in place of left-back Nicolas Tagliafico. Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to equalise in the 85th minute and the Argentina captain then crossed for Lautaro to head in the winner in the second minute of injury time. Also Read: Preserving the lead isn’t an English virtue “When my old man first bought me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal,” said an emotional Lautaro. NO LOVE LOST DURING THE ANTHEMS “Please rise, if you are able, for the national anthem of...” That’s the extent of the instructions that are announced at the pre-match national anthems. There’s no mention of the need to be respectful. And so, when Argentina was to play England in a World Cup match, with the heated rivalry between both countries on and off the field, there was no love lost in the stands.
The English anthem was played first, but barely a corner of the Argentine section of the stands remained silent as they sang their own songs. England’s players looked puzzled as they tried to sing “God save the King.” Then came the turn of the Argentina anthem, and there was loud booing from the England fans. So much for the niceties. JUMP IN IF YOU ARE JUDE Jude Bellingham’s not played in the Premier League but for Stourbridge that was never a problem. He is one of them lads, you see. It’s a point the town in central England, west of Birmingham, doesn’t forget to mention certainly not during this World Cup. Also Read: Deschamps leaves as France’s finest coach, questions linger So, if you are travelling to Stourbridge and even if you are not obscurely famous but your name is Jude, a local railway company is offering a free ride.
“We look forward to inviting Judes from across the region for a free ride on the Stourbridge Shuttle,” said Jonny Wiseman from the West Midlands Railway. There’s more: a railway station in southeast London has been, for the time being, renamed: Jude Bellingham. In Stourbridge, there is also a mural of Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, his friend and one-time competitor for the No 10 slot, who is also a local eating battered chips. Quite the rage in these parts, it is chips dipped in orange batter and deep-fried. Today’s result Semi-final Argentina 2 (Fernandez 85, Lautaro Martinez 90+2) BEAT England 1 (Gordon 55) World Cup final Argentina vs Spain 00.30 (Monday IST), New Jersey
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