ATLANTA — It was coming, the only surprise being the goals did not come from the boot of Lionel Messi.
England were just six minutes from a second World Cup final, their stop Messi protocols keeping Argentina at bay, when first Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez broke English hearts.
Questions will inevitably be asked about the deployment of blanket defence to steal a win but that would ignore the nature of a brilliant game that was always going to be claimed aggressively.
England delivered their most compelling performance of this tournament to take a deserved lead. A Djed Spence tackle that halved Giuliano Simeone as he bore down on goal was received like a goal at the other end by the relieved England fans.
Jordan Pickford’s reflex palming of the ball to safety on the line was met with open mouths on both sides of the stadium. Argentina hit the post twice in this intense spell and ultimately it was their will and spirit that prevailed.
