EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- Argentina sealed a dramatic semifinal fightback against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with two goals in the final five minutes to clinch a 2-1 win and book a World Cup final clash with Spain on Sunday.The reigning world champions, who won their third title in Qatar four years ago, looked set to be eliminated with England leading well into the dying stages following a second-half goal from Anthony Gordon.But as so often in this tournament, Argentina responded and Enzo Fernndez levelled the scores with a stunning shot from 20 yards in the 85th minute.Lionel Messi, who assisted the first goal, again played supplier for the second. His cross to the far post that was met by substitute Lautaro Martnez, who headed the winning goal into the net from close range in the second minute of stoppage time.Messi now has 10 assists in the World Cup knockout stage, at least six more than any other player in at least the last 60 years. And the 39-year-old has recorded a goal or assist in 11 straight World Cup games dating back to 2022, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.England's failure to hold onto their lead means the 1966 world champions' wait for a second World Cup final appearance goes on.With their grip on the World Cup loosening, Argentina dominated as they poured forward in search of an equalizer.Lionel Scaloni's side were frustrated by poor finishing and the heroics of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who made two crucial saves to keep the Three Lions ahead.Pickford's first save was a world-class effort to keep out Nico Gonzalez in the 69th minute after after the Argentina midfielder had connected with Messi's pinpoint cross.And Everton number one Pickford was the hero again seven minutes later when saved from Alexis Mac Allister, moments after the Liverpool player had struck the post with another effort.But he could do nothing as Argentina made their pressure pay in the closing minutes.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 the other team's national anthem.Argentina's clash with Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be the first World Cup final between the reigning champions of Europe and South America and the first time the two top teams in the FIFA rankings have contested the final since rankings were introduced in 1992.It will be Argentina's seventh World Cup final as they seek their fourth title and to join Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as just the third country to win back-to-back finals.
