Argentina rallies past bitter rival England to book spot in World Cup final

Key Points:

• Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, with late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, both assisted by Lionel Messi, to advance to the final against Spain.
• The match was marked by physical play and strategic defensive changes by England, who led 1-0 until Argentina's comeback in the final minutes, continuing a historic rivalry dating back to the 1986 "Hand of God" match.
• Messi, seeking a second consecutive World Cup title, remains a key figure with eight goals in the tournament and a record of playing in six men's World Cups, while England fell short in the semifinals for the third time in recent decades.
• Political tensions surfaced before the match, as Argentine authorities banned flags referencing the Falkland Islands, a sensitive issue tied to the 1982 war and ongoing territorial claims, leading to social media backlash in Argentina.
• England will compete for third place against France, who lost to Spain in the other semifinal, while Argentina aims to become the first team since Brazil in the early 1960s to win back-to-back World Cups.