Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal appeared to be carrying the Three Lions into their first final since 1966, before two late strikes turned the semi-final on its head

England’s hopes of ending 60 years of World Cup hurt were destroyed in devastating fashion as Argentina produced a late comeback to win a dramatic semi-final 2-1 in Atlanta.

The Three Lions were five minutes away from reaching Sunday’s final after Anthony Gordon converted an excellent Morgan Rogers cross shortly after the interval.

But Enzo Fernandez equalised with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home a Lionel Messi cross in stoppage time, sending the defending champions into the final against Spain.

England had spent much of the evening matching Argentina physically and tactically. Thomas Tuchel’s side defended aggressively, frustrated Messi and carried a threat through the movement of Gordon, Rogers and Jude Bellingham.

However, England became increasingly defensive after taking the lead and ultimately invited the world champions to attack them.

It was another agonising major tournament defeat for a country that has repeatedly come within touching distance of glory in recent years.

A tense opening

There was little attractive football during a fiercely contested first half in which challenges flew in and tempers repeatedly threatened to boil over.

The first genuine opportunity did not arrive until after the half-hour mark, when John Stones headed wide from a Declan Rice free-kick.

Reece James later tested Emiliano Martinez with a curling free-kick, while Fernandez sent Argentina’s first attempt off target from distance.

The opening 45 minutes ended goalless, with neither side having established control of a match carrying the weight of decades of footballing rivalry.

Argentina emerged with greater purpose after the restart. Julian Alvarez twice forced Jordan Pickford into saves during the opening minutes of the second half, but it was England who struck first.

Gordon puts England ahead

Rogers found space on the right in the 55th minute and delivered a superb ball across the six-yard box.

Gordon timed his arrival perfectly, guiding the cross beyond Martinez at the back post and sparking wild celebrations among the England players and supporters.

For a moment, England could see the final.

Argentina almost responded immediately when Giuliano Simeone broke through, but Djed Spence produced a perfectly timed intervention to prevent a clear opportunity.

That proved to be one of several vital defensive moments as the pressure began to build.

Pickford made an excellent reaction save from Nicolas Gonzalez before Alexis Mac Allister headed against the post. Fernandez then forced the England goalkeeper to tip another long-range effort over the crossbar.

Tuchel’s changes invite pressure

Rather than attempting to exploit the increasing space left by Argentina, England retreated.

Gordon was replaced by defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute, while Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly were introduced ten minutes later for Rice and James.

The changes moved England into a back five, but left the side without an effective route out of its own half.

Sky Sports reported that England averaged only 12 per cent possession between Gordon’s goal and Argentina’s winner. The Three Lions also failed to record another touch inside the opposition penalty area after taking the lead.

The equaliser felt increasingly inevitable.

Argentina worked a short corner in the 85th minute before Messi found Fernandez near the edge of the box. The midfielder drove an emphatic finish beyond Pickford and into the corner.

England were visibly shaken and never recovered their composure.

Mac Allister struck the post again during stoppage time. Messi collected the loose ball and delivered a cross towards the back post, where Martinez rose to head home the winner.

England, who had been within minutes of the final, were suddenly out.

Kane left “gutted”

Captain Harry Kane admitted England had attempted to defend their lead rather than continue playing with the approach that had put them ahead.

He said: “Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on. At this level, it’s not enough.

“We’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood and tears. To fall short like we did is just gutting.”

Tuchel acknowledged that his side had become too passive but defended his decision to strengthen the defence.

He said the switch to a back five had been intended to close gaps and improve England’s ability to defend crosses, adding that he had “no regrets” over the tactical decision.

The manager also indicated that he intends to remain in charge and lead England into Euro 2028, which will be staged across the United Kingdom and Ireland, with matches held in Wales.

Another familiar collapse

The circumstances will fuel an uncomfortable inquest.

England led Croatia before losing their 2018 World Cup semi-final, scored first against Italy before losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties and were ahead against Spain before falling short in the Euro 2024 final.

This time, England appeared to have finally learned how to navigate the decisive moments of a major tournament.

Instead, they again surrendered momentum while attempting to protect a narrow advantage.

Argentina’s victory means Messi, now 39, will have the opportunity to lead his country to consecutive World Cup titles when the holders face European champions Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey. He played a decisive role in Atlanta despite being kept relatively quiet for much of the match, providing the final pass for both goals.

England’s tournament is not quite finished. Tuchel’s side will face France in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday at 10pm BST.

But the match will offer little consolation after a night when England stood on the brink of history, only to watch the opportunity disappear in seven brutal minutes.

Welsh Conservative says post-match political display was “unacceptable” following England’s World Cup semi-final defeat

WELSH Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies has called for FIFA to take action after Argentina players celebrated their World Cup victory over England by displaying a banner asserting the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands.

The banner, which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Malvinas are Argentine”, was displayed on the pitch following Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory in Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso were pictured holding the banner and waving towards Argentina supporters after their side scored twice in the closing minutes to overturn England’s 1-0 lead.

The result sent the defending champions into a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will face Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.

Mr Davies, the Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, described the display as unacceptable and called on people across the United Kingdom to condemn it.

He also said football’s international governing body must investigate whether the Argentina Football Association or members of the national team had breached tournament rules.

FIFA’s stadium code of conduct prohibits banners, flags, clothing and other material considered political, offensive or discriminatory from being displayed inside World Cup venues.

FIFA had not publicly announced whether disciplinary proceedings would be opened at the time of publication. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle has also called for the incident to be formally investigated.

The controversy has particular resonance in Wales because of the role of the Welsh Guards in the 1982 Falklands conflict.

Thirty-two Welsh Guardsmen were killed when Argentine aircraft attacked RFA Sir Galahad near Bluff Cove on June 8, 1982. The incident was one of the deadliest attacks suffered by British forces during the 74-day conflict and left many other servicemen seriously injured or burned.

In total, 255 British personnel and 649 Argentine military personnel were killed during the war.

The Falkland Islands are administered as a self-governing British Overseas Territory, although Argentina continues to claim sovereignty and refers to the islands as Las Malvinas.

In a referendum held in 2013, 99.8 per cent of participating islanders voted to retain their existing political status as a British Overseas Territory. The UK Government maintains that there can be no negotiations about sovereignty unless the islanders themselves request them.

Mr Davies said: “The Falkland Islands are British and people from across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland must come together to condemn this unacceptable gesture.

“FIFA wrongly punishes our football teams for displaying poppies around Remembrance Day.

“If football’s governing body does not take robust action against Argentina, the double standard will stink.”

FIFA fined the football associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following poppy displays during international matches around Armistice Day in 2016, after ruling that the commemorations breached regulations concerning political symbols.

A WEEKEND of tight finishes, big individual performances and important wins kept the promotion races moving across the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League.

Saundersfoot remain top of Division One after a dramatic tie with Neyland, while Carew kept up the pressure with victory at St Ishmaels.

Hook continue to lead Division Two, Laugharne are still the team to catch in Division Three, and Lawrenny II remain out in front in Division Four.

Lower down the pyramid, Cresselly III stay top of Division Five despite defeat to Whitland II, while Lamphey II lead Division Six after another strong win.

Division One: Saundersfoot held in Neyland thriller

Saundersfoot remain unbeaten at the top of Division One, but they were made to work hard in a dramatic tied match against Neyland.

Both sides finished on 207-8. Paul Murray made 69 and Ross Hardy added 68 for Neyland, while Tom Mansbridge hit 64 for Saundersfoot and Sam Franklin made 39.

Carew stayed second with a six-wicket win over St Ishmaels. Herbrandston were emphatic winners over Narberth, winning by 157 runs, while Lawrenny picked up a valuable 88-run win over Whitland.

Division One results

Division One table

Division Two: Hook stay top as Johnston keep chase alive

Hook remain top of Division Two after an eight-wicket win over Haverfordwest.

Haverfordwest made 187-8, with Ben Field scoring 64 and James Marchant unbeaten on 57. Hook chased it down on 190-2, Lewis Miller making 61, Mikey Jones 52 and Aled Phelps 50 not out.

Johnston remain close behind after an eight-wicket win over Llangwm, while Fishguard edged one of the closest games of the weekend, beating Llanrhian by just two runs.

Division Two results

Division Two table

Division Three: Laugharne remain out in front

Laugharne continue to lead Division Three after an eight-wicket win over Haverfordwest II.

Haverfordwest II reached 152-6, with David Haynes making 45, Jac Peters 47 and Doug Johnson 28. Laugharne replied with 155-2, Matt Tait finishing unbeaten on 76 and Harry Clapperton making 49.

Lamphey beat Burton II by six wickets, Saundersfoot II were convincing nine-wicket winners over Pembroke II, and Kilgetty kept their promotion push alive with a seven-wicket win over Stackpole.

Division Three results

Division Three table

Division Four: Lawrenny II lead after Daley display

Lawrenny II remain top of Division Four after a 26-run win over Llechryd II.

Rhys Daley was the key man, making 75 before taking 4-32. Narberth II stayed in touch with a 63-run win over Neyland II, while Hook II were seven-wicket winners against St Ishmaels II.

Division Four results

Division Four table

Division Five: Cresselly III beaten but stay top

Cresselly III remain top of Division Five despite a 35-run defeat to Whitland II.

Whitland II made 162-6 before bowling Cresselly III out for 127. Connor Beynon produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 110 as Hundleton II beat Llangwm II by 36 runs.

Pembroke III also enjoyed a strong chase, beating Pembroke Dock II by six wickets.

Division Five results

Division Five table

Division Six: Lamphey II lead after eight-wicket win

Lamphey II remain top of Division Six after beating Haverfordwest IV by eight wickets.

Haverfordwest IV were bowled out for 191, with Tom Baker making 47 not out, Stef Ateyo 43 and Brandon Dewstowe 30. Lamphey II replied with 193-2, John Sture finishing unbeaten on 82 and James White also making 82.

Kilgetty II picked up a 48-run win over Haverfordwest/Cresselly, with Iwan Godwaltz making 101 and taking 2-39.

Division Six results

Division Six table

Weekend stars