This time, there was no "Hand of God."

Argentina had no need of it.

Instead, it was the revered presence of Lionel Messi and the indomitable resolve of a team that has repeatedly fought back in this year's World Cup, now just one victory away from winning consecutive titles.

Trailing 1-0 as the 85th minute approached, Argentina mounted a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday, with goals from Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez.

"I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score. I told him that I was going to come on and I was going to win it," Martinez said.

"I can tell you this team keeps demonstrating its resilience."

At the final whistle, Messi dropped to his knees in triumph, while the England players once again sank to the ground in disbelief.

Include 2026 alongside 1986 and 1998 on the list of tournaments in which Argentina eliminated England from the World Cup.

“I feel deeply disheartened for the team, the staff, and the supporters,” England captain Harry Kane stated.

“We exerted tremendous effort to reach this point.

The players have invested every ounce of their energy and emotion.

To come up short in the manner we did is profoundly disappointing.”

The defending champions will face European champions Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a match that pits South America's best against Europe's elite.

The defeat for England will affect a new generation of supporters in a manner comparable to Diego Maradona's notorious handball goal during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals and the penalty shootout loss in 1998, when David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone.

The key distinction is that this time there can be no sense of injustice, even though England appeared poised for victory after Anthony Gordon scored the opening goal in the 55th minute.

As the game progressed, the English team found themselves increasingly on the defensive, struggling to maintain their foothold.

Goalkeeper Jordon Pickford made a series of critical saves, while Mac Allister's header struck the post as Argentina mounted relentless waves of attacks.

Messi had largely been contained.

Yet, whenever he is on the pitch, the realm of possibility seems limitless.

In the 85th minute, he played the ball to Fernandez, who slotted home the equalizer from outside the box.

Then, two minutes into stoppage time, Messi delivered a cross that Martinez headed in to clinch the winner.

It felt almost inevitable, particularly given how often Argentina has refused to capitulate during this year's World Cup.

From Cape Verde to Egypt, Messi and his teammates consistently manage to find a way.

"This embodies the collective spirit and brotherhood we share, as well as the relentless fight to the very end that defines us," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

"We were prepared to leave disappointed, knowing we had given everything on the pitch, but after they scored, we truly proved our resilience."

England, by contrast, fell short in the World Cup semifinals for the third time, having previously lost to Germany in 1990 and Croatia in 2018.

This marks yet another instance in recent years where England's players have relinquished a winning position during the latter stages of a major tournament.

Having taken a 1-0 lead against Croatia in the semifinals eight years ago, they ultimately lost 2-1.

Similarly, after going 1-0 up against Italy in the European Championship final in 2021, they were defeated on penalties.

On Wednesday, England coach Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions appeared more geared toward consolidating the lead than toward sealing the match with an additional goal.

"Argentina played with more risk, with more rhythm, and perhaps with the feeling that they have nothing left to lose, which liberated them and held us back, as we suddenly played with the feeling that we have a lot to lose," Tuchel said.

Argentina now stands on the brink of making history.

Messi, now 39 and likely playing in his last World Cup, is just one win away from further strengthening his claim to be considered the greatest footballer of all time.

"We intend to compete for victory, and we will give our absolute all," Scaloni said.

"It is exceptionally challenging to make people fully grasp what these players are demonstrating.

It is remarkable.

We are truly one of a kind, and this is not born of arrogance, but from the heart.

We are unique."

James Robson can be reached at the following URL: https://x.com/jamesalanrobson.

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