Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup final on Wednesday after striking twice in the closing stages to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta, turning a tense semi-final into another dramatic escape act in their title defence.

England looked set for a first World Cup final appearance since 1966 when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, finishing from Morgan Rogers' delivery after a tight, physical first half had produced little fluency and almost no clear openings. Jordan Pickford then made key saves as England tried to protect the lead, with Julian Alvarez denied and Argentina repeatedly forced wide as Thomas Tuchel’s side dug in.

The match changed in the final minutes. Enzo Fernandez brought Argentina level in the 85th minute with a long-range strike as the holders finally found space around England’s penalty area. Deep into stoppage time, Lionel Messi delivered the decisive contribution, bending in a precise cross that substitute Lautaro Martinez converted with a header in the second minute of added time. What had been slipping away suddenly belonged to Argentina, who once again found a way through the most difficult stretch of a knockout match.

It was a familiar theme in this tournament. Argentina had already survived severe tests on the road to the semi-finals, including 3-2 wins over Cape Verde and Egypt before beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals. Their progress has not always been clean, but it has been relentless. Wednesday’s comeback kept intact a perfect seven-win run in this World Cup and moved the defending champions to within one victory of retaining the trophy.

The result also sets up one of the standout finals the tournament could have produced. Argentina will meet Spain on Sunday, 19 July, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Spain reached the final on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over France, continuing a tournament built on control, defensive authority and efficiency in key moments. Spain have conceded only one goal in the competition, while Argentina lead the tournament in goals scored with 19.

That contrast gives the final an immediate shape. Argentina arrive with the competition’s most productive attack and with Messi still central to everything important, even when matches drift away from them. Spain arrive with the tightest defence and the composure of a side that has controlled nearly every phase of the tournament. The meeting will also carry major historical weight: Argentina are chasing a fourth world title and attempting to become the first men’s team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, while Spain are aiming for a second crown after their 2010 triumph.

For England, the defeat will sting because the final was within touching distance. Gordon’s goal had put them in command, and for long spells they restricted Argentina’s rhythm. But semi-finals are often decided by the smallest lapse and the biggest players. In the space of a few minutes, Fernandez changed the scoreline and Messi changed the destination of the tie. Martinez applied the finishing touch, and Argentina were left celebrating another late rescue that has carried them all the way to Sunday.