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Lionel Scaloni admitted Argentina “smelt blood” when England hesitated, using the opportunity to mount a dramatic comeback that secured their place in the World Cup final. England coach Thomas Tuchel attempted to defend a 1-0 lead, a shift that Scaloni said played right into the world champions’ hands. “This team plays best when facing adversity,” Scaloni said after his side’s 2-1 victory. “The opponent hesitates a bit, we smell blood,…

Some Argentina players held a banner supporting their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands during their on-pitch celebrations after their World Cup semifinal victory over England on Wednesday. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said before the game he did not want the fixture to become about the conflict over the British overseas territory. But after his side came from 1-0 down with five minutes left to win 2-1 to reach…

ATLANTA — Of all the special moments Argentina has had at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, this one meant a little more. Lionel Messi set up two goals in the dying minutes of Argentina’s semifinal against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday to snatch a 2-1 win and a spot in the final on July 19 with Spain. After the game, Messi, who is trying to lead Argentina to a…

ATLANTA — Thomas Tuchel has vowed to stay on as England boss until Euro 2028 and defended his tactical adjustments in Wednesday’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal had put the Three Lions on course for only the second World Cup final appearance in their history, only for Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez to score twice at the death to snatch a dramatic 2-1…

Messages of commiseration and support have poured in for the England team following their dramatic World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina on Wednesday. England took the lead in Atlanta against the reigning champions but late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez meant their wait for a first World Cup final since 1966 goes on. “Commiserations to Harry and the team. While you Three Lions may be licking your wounds…

ATLANTA — Harry Kane says it’s too soon to make a call on whether this is his last World Cup with England and says the defeat was a similar story to other past near-misses as England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. England took the lead against Argentina in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but switched to a more defensive formation, which…

Defending European Champions Spain head to the World Cup final in the same position they were when the tournament kicked off on June 11: as favorites to lift the trophy. Spain opened as -164 favorites to beat Argentina in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according DK Sports. Lionel Messi and defending-champion Argentina were installed +134 underdogs, shortly after coming from behind to eliminate England by…

England players will have lost belief at Thomas Tuchel’s second-half substitutions in the World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina, according to former captain Wayne Rooney. Anthony Gordon put England ahead early in the second half but was soon withdrawn by Tuchel, who brought defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in the final 20 minutes. His changes backfired as Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez…

ATLANTA — Argentina sealed a dramatic semifinal fightback against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with two goals in the final five minutes to clinch a 2-1 win and book a World Cup final clash with Spain on Sunday. The reigning world champions, who won their third title in Qatar four years ago, looked set to be eliminated with England leading well into the dying stages following a second-half goal from Anthony…

FIFA’s director of refereeing Pierluigi Collina defended the referee in Tuesday’s semifinal between France and Spain following criticism from France coach Didier Deschamps. Following Spain’s 2-0 win in Arlington, Texas, Deschamps questioned whether Salvadoran official Iván Barton was up to the task of refereeing a World Cup semifinal. – France move from Deschamps to Zidane wondering what could have been – Mbappé critical of tactics in loss by ‘sloppy’ France…