The Road to the Final
Argentina fought back from an early setback to defeat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semi‑final that swung on a single moment of brilliance from Lionel Messi. The Barcelona great orchestrated the comeback, setting up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser before the decisive strike arrived in the dying minutes.
England had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina's resilience shone as Enzo Fernandez levelled in the 85th minute. The winning goal came in the 92nd minute when Lautaro Martinez finished a swift counter‑attack, sealing a dramatic victory for the South American side.
In the other semi‑final, Spain demonstrated why they are the tournament favourites, controlling possession against France and neutralising the French front four, which struggled to find rhythm. Their disciplined performance has set up a showdown with Argentina that many expect to be a battle of tactics and stamina.
The bronze‑medal match will see France and England meet again, a rematch of their earlier encounter that left both coaches under scrutiny. Thomas Tuchel faces increasing pressure after another defeat, while England's midfield, including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are expected to give one last push.
Predictions for the final are varied, ranging from expert analyses to whimsical guesses from a subscriber, a six‑year‑old fan and even a dog. All point to Spain’s dominance, but the Argentine side, buoyed by Messi’s influence and a clutch of young talents, remains a potent threat.