By JAMES ROBSON, AP Soccer Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi sent in the cross that sent Argentina to the World Cup final after another improbable comeback.
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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 Wednesday.
Messi also provided the assist to Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute for the equalizing goal.
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.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez hugs teammate Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) cerebrates the first goal of his team during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scored their side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) cerebrates the second goal of his team during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) can’t stop Argentina’s first goal by Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Referee Ismail Elfath, of the United States, separates players as he issues a yellow card to England’s Elliot Anderson during the World Cup semifinal soccer match against Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
A fan takes a selfie before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) challenges for the ball with Argentina’s Nahuel Molina (26) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) shoots on goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England’s Harry Kane, right, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) scores their opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
England and Argentina stand before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Former England soccer player David Beckham, right, stands before the start of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
England’s Anthony Gordon (18) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after Enzo Fernandez scored their side’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina, which will play Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
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.
Fernandez scored the equalizer with a long range effort as Argentina pressed desperately for a goal, and Martinez headed in the winner with time running out.
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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.
The game resumed one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer 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.
That continued on the field in a first half that was repeatedly broken up fouls.
Leandro Paredes went in late on Jude Bellingham early in the game. Fernandez did likewise with Elliot Anderson soon after.
A tense first half ended goalless, with no clear chances, but the game opened up after the break.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Julian Alvarez and Gordon found the breakthrough for England, converting a cross from Morgan Rogers.
Argentina pressed. Substitute Nico Gonzalez was denied by Pickford and Alexis Mac Allister came even closer with a header off the post.
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MORE: 2026 men’s World Cup bracket
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here