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Every time Lionel Messi touched the ball, the crowd in Atlanta seemed to hold its breath. During the opening hour of Argentina’s World Cup semi-final clash with England, even the smallest movement from the Argentine captain was enough to shift the mood across the stadium. As the match progressed and Argentina trailed, those moments carried a different tension — less about expecting magic and more about confronting the possibility of defeat.

But with this Argentina side, reality often bends to their will. While Messi wasn’t the direct saviour this time, his influence was undeniable. Once again, the reigning champions clawed their way back from the edge in a World Cup fixture. They rarely make it simple, but they almost always find a way.

After conceding to England in the 55th minute, Messi and his teammates launched a dramatic late comeback, sealing a 2-1 victory that earned them a place in their second consecutive World Cup final. Messi provided both assists, but on this occasion, it was his teammates who produced the decisive moments.

Enzo Fernandez, who had been largely contained by England’s formidable midfield for most of the match, emerged as the spark Argentina desperately needed. In the 85th minute, his powerful strike soared past Jordan Pickford to bring Argentina level, sending the Atlanta crowd into raptures. From that moment, it felt inevitable.

And inevitable it was. Just two minutes into stoppage time, the momentum fully shifted. Messi delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Lautaro Martinez, who calmly directed it into the net from close range. With that, Argentina’s dreams of back-to-back world titles stayed alive.

This victory was anything but easy. England’s physical intensity and tactical discipline tested the Argentinians throughout, but the defending champions showed their trademark resilience. Once again, they stood tall under pressure — one win away from another historic triumph.

Here’s how Argentina’s players rated at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta:

Goalkeeper & Defence

Emiliano Martinez (6/10): Could do little about England’s goal. Enjoyed a quiet first half with limited involvement before being beaten just after the break.

Nicolas Tagliafico (6/10): The stronger of the two full-backs. England’s tactical switch saw Rogers start instead of Madueke, but Tagliafico handled the threat comfortably.

Lisandro Martinez (6/10): Collected a necessary first-half booking, forcing him to moderate his aggression. His attempted bicycle clearance before England’s goal was brave but left Argentina exposed defensively.

Cristian Romero (7/10): Like Lisandro, he picked up an early yellow card but was otherwise composed and solid in defence throughout.

Nahuel Molina (4/10): Found himself caught ball-watching for Gordon’s opener, allowing the winger to slip in behind. England exploited his flank repeatedly in the first half.

Midfield

Enzo Fernandez (8/10): The game-changer. His thunderous late equaliser reignited Argentina’s belief and turned the tide completely.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10): Twice struck the post, agonisingly close to scoring. His second effort led directly to Argentina’s winning goal, making his contribution crucial.

Leandro Paredes (6/10): Controlled the tempo early on and maintained composure in possession. Substituted as Scaloni sought more attacking impetus.

Attack

Giuliano Simeone (5/10): Worked tirelessly to create space for Messi, pressing effectively but lacking creativity in the final third.

Julian Alvarez (5/10): Energetic and industrious, particularly in the first half. Had a few half-chances but couldn’t provide the finishing touch.

Lionel Messi (8/10): Looked dangerous throughout but didn’t find the net himself. Registered assists for both goals — first for Fernandez’s strike and then with a sublime cross for Lautaro’s winner.

Substitutes & Manager

Nicolas Gonzalez (7/10): Instantly injected energy after coming on. Came close with a header that Pickford denied, and another that went wide. Lively but slightly wasteful.

Gonzalo Montiel (6/10): A steady presence during the closing stages, without major impact.

Nicolas Otamendi (6/10): Introduced to replace the booked Lisandro Martinez, ensuring defensive stability late on.

Rodrigo De Paul (6/10): Brought his usual intensity and defensive grit. Picked up a booking for his efforts.

Lautaro Martinez (9/10): The hero of the night. Demonstrated his striker’s instinct once again with a clinical header to book Argentina’s spot in the final.

Lionel Scaloni (8/10): Managed his substitutions expertly. Argentina chased the game intelligently, and Scaloni’s tactical adjustments paid off as England sat deeper in the final minutes.