This was a World Cup semi-final for the ages.
Lionel Messi and Argentina were taking on Jude Bellingham and England at Atlanta Stadium. Over the years, this stadium has hosted many big events, such as the Copa América, the FIFA Club World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the MLS Cup final. But perhaps none would be as big as this one.
England had a chance to avenge the infamous Hand of God game from the 1986 World Cup. These were also the two countries that got into the War of the Falklands back in 1982. These two teams did not like each other, on and off the pitch.
Spain was awaiting their opponent for the World Cup final on Sunday. It was the reigning World Champions against a team that hasn’t won a major trophy since 1966.
First half: A Physical Affair
Right away, it was a physical affair. Two minutes in, after Manchester City’s Elliott Anderson was taken down by Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, the players were having a war of words. That set the tone for the game. It was expected, but both teams needed to be disciplined.
It felt like a WWE or rugby match. There were a lot of grabbing and rough tackles. The referee was quick to call fouls…and let others go.
Both teams were playing quick one-two passes, but neither side could create a good scoring chance.
There wasn’t a shot attempt from either side until John Stones headed a Declan Rice free kick wide of Emi Martinez. Argentina did not have their first shot attempt until the 38th minute. Fernandez tried to go for the worldie, but his shot just went over the bar. For some reason, Fernandez decided to complain to the referee afterward.
It was a physical and cagey affair. The deadlock still wasn’t broken.
Second half: Argentina snatch victory from the hands of defeat
Julian Alvarez got Argentina’s first shot on target early in the second half. The Atletico Madrid striker got around Djed Spence, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a good save.
It was England that broke the deadline. Harry Kane made a great through ball that found Rice. Rice then gave the ball to Morgan Rogers. The Aston Villa winger/attacking midfielder’s cross found Anthony Gordon running into the box. The newly signed Barcelona winger buried it past Martinez. Argentina were rattled.
Argentina wanted to get back in it as soon as possible. Guiliano Simeone sped down the right wing. But Djed Spence came racing back like he was The Flash and made a perfectly timed tackle to prevent Simeone from testing Pickford. Spence timed that perfectly. If he didn’t, he would’ve given away a penalty and even gotten a red card.
The English knew they had to be smart and defend well against the Argentinians. England’s backline was making crucial blocks and tackles in the box. But England needed to put Argentina away. They were quick on the counterattack. Rice had a long-range shot denied by Martinez.
Messi once again was putting Argentina on his shoulders. The Inter Miami superstar delivered a beautiful cross to substitute Nico Gonzalez. The Juventus midfielder perfectly timed his header, but Pickford was there to shut the door. What a massive save this was.
You could feel the nerves from every England fan around the world. Their manager Thomas Tuchel decided to play back five and took out Gordon for Ezri Konsa. As a result, Reece James was moved to the midfield.
Substitute Rodrigo De Paul made an excellent cross for Alexis Mac Allister. The Liverpool midfielder dove for the header, but he hit the left post. Inches.
It looked like England were playing 10 in the box. Big Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly were on to preserve the lead for England.
But Argentina wouldn’t quit. From the short corner, Messi found Fernandez from outside the box. He had been trying for screamers all game, and he finally scored one. This was a beauty of a strike from the Chelsea midfielder. This game was tied. The Argentinian fans were loud and singing again. England fans were getting flashbacks to the semi-final against Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It was more pain for England and their fans. Mac Allister hit the post, and Spence couldn’t clear. The ball came right to Messi, and his cross found the head of substitute Lautaro Martinez. The Inter Milan striker beat Pickford and Argentina, and their fans were in a state of euphoria.
England threw everything at Argentina. Spence and John Stones were taken off for Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford. It was now or never for the Three Lions. England was delivering long balls to Burn and Toney, but it wasn’t working. Harry Kane was also invisible.
And just like that, England’s misery continued. It was not coming home. Tuchel decided to park the bus too early and made really questionable substitutions. The English fans and media will be questioning Tuchel. This will be especially because he left the likes of Harry Maguire, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Jarred Bowen, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden at home.
The Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) song famously goes: “England’s gonna throw it away, gonna blow it away.” Once again, that was prophetic. Instead of Wonderwall, Oasis’ song “Where Did It All Go Wrong” from their 2000 album Standing on the Shoulders of Giants could be playing everywhere.
For Argentina, their resilience showed up as it did when they came back from 2-0 down against Egypt. They were going to their second straight World Cup final and had a chance to repeat.
Messi displayed his magic again. Fernandez deserves a mention because he scored the winning goal against Egypt and the tying goal against England. Perhaps Chelsea could keep him since Real Madrid is no longer interested. Or maybe the World Cup will change their mind? Argentina did look rattled after Gordon scored, but they soon brushed it off and rose to the occasion.
Stat of the match
He just continues to make history.
Disasterclass of the game
Tuchel decided to pull a Gareth Southgate in the Euro 2020 final. Why was he parking the bus so early when he clearly knew Argentina had the ability to break down a low block? Not only that, England was terrible with the aerial duels from Argentina’s crosses.
Meme of the day
Guess Tuchel and Southgate do have something in common: To England fans, they are both terrorists.
Wrap-up
England and France will play in the third-place game on Saturday at Miami Stadium. Kickoff for that game is at 2:00 pm.
The big game is on Sunday at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Argentina and Spain were scheduled to meet in La Finalissima back in March, but it was cancelled due to conflicts in the Middle East, as it was scheduled to take place in Qatar. Now both the reigning World Champions and Copa America winners will take on the reigning UEFA Euro winners for the ultimate prize: The World Cup.
Will Argentina go back-to-back, or will Spain take the crown? Find out on Sunday!
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