On Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, they will attempt to become only the third national squad after Italy and Brazil to claim back-to-back titles in the 96-year history of the competition.

Spain, the reigning European champions, are the only team that can prevent them from the boast.

England, the side Spain beat in the Euro 2024 final, nearly stopped the Argentines at the Atlanta Stadium.

But they caved in with victory in sight as Argentina rose from the abyss for the second time during the knockout stages.

Victory within sight

England went ahead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon stole into the penalty area and deftly turned Morgan Rogers’ centre past the  Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez into the net.

The strike came after a period of Argentine domination at the start of the second-half.

Argentina, who overturned a two-goal deficit against Egypt during the last 16, simply reset and plugged away. England went instinctive and sat back.

That ploy worked against Mexico in the last 16 at the Estadio Azteca when they were down to 10 men and seethed at the injustice of Jarrell Quansah’s red card.

Here, on a cusp of a first World Cup final since 1966, with 11 men, the option was questionable especially with Lionel Messi, one of the game’s legends pulling the strings for Argentina.

Argentina offer warnings

England’s first warning came in the 69th minute.
Messi sent over a cross from the right wing and Nico Gonzalez headed the ball goalwards but the England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford got down to push it away.

Seven minutes later Alexis Mac Allister’s header beat Pickford but hit the post.

With six minutes remaining, Messi slid a pass from the right wing along to Enzo Fernandez. And from 22 metres out, the midfielder unleashed a shot that flew past Pickford into the net for the equaliser.

England recoiled further and Argentina went for the kill. 

Moments after Mac Allister drilled a low shot against the post, the ball found its way back to Messi who went past England defender Nico O’Reilly and curled over a cross towards the far post.

It was just too high for England defender John Stones but perfect for Lautaro Martinez who had nudged in front of Reece James. His header gave Pickford no chance for heroics. 

Martinez wheeled away to soak up the adulation from his teammates.

‘We were so close’

“We were so close,” said England boss Thomas Tuchel. “But we couldn’t keep the level after we scored. We deserved to be up 1-0 … we got passive.”

England will travel to Miami for the third place play-off against France who lost the first semi-final toSpain on Tuesday night in Dallas.

Argentina will test their powers against a Spain side that has conceded only once in seven games. 

“We will enjoy the victory,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

“Everybody should be thanking the players. This group is difficult to explain. Honestly …. I know that everyone recognises how special this team is. This is all thanks to them. I want to thank them.”