Argentina is back in the World Cup final after a thrilling semifinal win over England

Argentina is back in the World Cup final after a thrilling semifinal win over England July 15, 20265:10 PM ET Becky Sullivan Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates the team's second goal by Lautaro Martínez during their World Cup semifinal against England on Wednesday in Atlanta. Argentina defeated the English 2-1 to advance to Sunday's final against Spain. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Shaun Botterill/Getty Images ATLANTA — Argentina, the death-defying defending World Cup champion, will play for a second consecutive title after scoring two late goals to beat England in the semifinal, 2-1. Soccer Edition Old rivals, new battle: Argentina and England clash in World Cup Semifinal For a fourth straight knockout game, Argentina survived a heart-stoppingly close call. First was Cape Verde, the African island nation underdog, who took the champions to extra time. Then was the furious miracle comeback after Egypt took a 2-0 lead. Then, in the quarterfinal, a shorthanded Switzerland squad forced extra time despite a 72nd-minute red card. This gutsy Argentina squad prevailed in all three games, and Wednesday, they pulled it off yet again. In the 55th minute, England took a 1-0 lead when forward Anthony Gordon tapped in a cross. Sponsor Message Then, as the clock ticked up, Argentina turned up the intensity. A relentless onslaught yielded near miss after near miss before finally midfielder Enzo Fernández scored off a rocket from outside the penalty area to equalize the game at 1-1 in the 85th minute. Then, in stoppage time, forward Lautaro Martínez sent the Argentina crowd into delirium with a header off a cross from 39-year-old superstar Lionel Messi. In Sunday's final they will face Spain, who defeated France on Tuesday 2-0 to contend for their second-ever title. England's Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images hide caption toggl...