Messi inspires Argentina to comeback win over England in World Cup semi

<p>Lionel Messi sent in the cross that delivered Argentina a second consecutive World Cup final after another improbable comeback.</p> <p>Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Messi fed a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Thursday.</p> <p>Messi also provided the assist to Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute for the equalising goal.</p> <p>At the end of another exhausting match — another match in which Argentina was stretched to the final minutes — Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.</p> <p>Argentina, who will play Spain in the final on Monday (NZT) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.</p> <p><b>Watch the FIFA World Cup final at 7am on Monday, July 20, live and free on TVNZ 1 and </b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows" target="_blank"><b>TVNZ+</b></a></p> <p>Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but the team's other chances failed to find the back of the net.</p> <p>Fernandez scored the equaliser with a long-range effort as Argentina pressed desperately for a goal, and Martinez headed in the winner with time running out.</p> <p>Argentina had to come through yet another tough match at this year's expanded 48-team tournament after surviving scares against Cape Verde and Egypt.</p> <p>The game resumed one of the biggest rivalries in international football, and there was a raucous atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff as both sets of fans tried to drown out each other’s national anthems.</p> <p>That continued on the field in a first half that was repeatedly broken up by fouls.</p> <p>Leandro Paredes went in late on Jude Bellingham early in the game. Fernandez did likewise with Elliot Anderson soon after.</p> <p>A tense first half ended goalless, with no clear chances, but the game opened up after the break</p> <p>England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Julian Alvarez, and Gordon found the breakthrough for England, converting a cross from Morgan Rogers.</p> <p>Argentina pressed. Substitute Nico Gonzalez was denied by Pickford, and Alexis Mac Allister came even closer with a header off the post.</p> <p><b>Watch all matches at the World Cup with an event pass on </b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport" target="_blank"><b>TVNZ+</b></a><b> </b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows" target="_blank"><b></b></a></p>