7M - England Kept Lionel Messi Quiet for 80 Minutes — Until One Decisive Shift Sparked Argentina's Comeback

For over an hour of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, Thomas Tuchel's tactical gameplan appeared to be neutralizing Lionel Messi. With England leading 1-0 thanks to Anthony Gordon's second-half strike, the 39-year-old maestro was limited to long-range efforts and pushed into peripheral areas, recording a tournament-low sprint distance and zero shots inside the English penalty box.

However, England's decision to drop deep and defend their narrow lead proved fatal. As the Three Lions conceded territory, Messi gradually shifted his operating position into the right half-space, taking command of the final quarter. In the 85th minute, the Argentina captain set up Enzo Fernández for a thunderous equalizer, before delivering a sublime injury-time cross for Lautaro Martínez to head home the 92nd-minute winner, completing a dramatic 2-1 comeback to book Argentina's spot in the World Cup final.