On this occasion, there was no manifestation of the "Hand of God";

Argentina stood in no need of such celestial intercession.

Rather, it was the sacrosanct footsteps of Lionel Messi and the indomitable resolve of a squad that has repeatedly rallied at this year’s World Cup, now standing on the precipice of consecutive titles.

Having found themselves trailing 1-0 as the 85th minute loomed, Argentina engineered a resplendent comeback to clinch a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday, with goals from Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez.

“I dreamt it, I swear.

I apprised Alexis (Mac Allister) that I would score.

I informed him that I would come on and secure the victory,” Martinez articulated.

“I can assure you, this team ceaselessly demonstrates its mettle.”

Upon the final whistle, Messi sank to his knees in exultation, whilst the English players once again collapsed in sheer incredulity.

Include 2026 alongside 1986 and 1998 in the catalogue of tournaments wherein Argentina extinguished English aspirations at the World Cup.

“I am utterly devastated for the team, the staff, and the supporters,” England captain Harry Kane stated.

“We exerted every conceivable effort to reach this juncture.

The players have sacrificed every modicum of blood, sweat, and tears.

To fall short in such a manner is profoundly disheartening.”

The reigning champions will face the European champions, Spain, in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey—a contest that pits the finest South America has to offer against the cream of Europe.

The anguish inflicted upon England will resonate with a new generation of supporters in a manner analogous to Diego Maradona’s notorious handball goal during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, as well as the penalty shootout defeat in 1998, which followed David Beckham’s dismissal for striking Diego Simeone.

The disparity lies in the impossibility of any perception of injustice on this occasion, notwithstanding England's proximity to victory following Anthony Gordon's opening goal in the 55th minute.

The English were tenaciously holding on as the match wore on.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford executed critical saves, while Mac Allister’s header struck the post as Argentina launched relentless, successive waves of attacks.

Messi had been rendered largely ineffectual, yet his mere presence on the pitch imbues the contest with an aura of boundless possibility.

In the 85th minute, he deftly fed the ball to Fernandez, who swept in the equalizer from outside the box.

Then, two minutes into stoppage time, Messi delivered a cross for Martinez to head home the winner.

The outcome felt almost inexorable, particularly given the frequency with which Argentina has adamantly refused to capitulate throughout this year's World Cup.

From Cape Verde to Egypt, Messi and his compatriots invariably manage to discover a path to victory.

“This epitomises the collectivity, the fraternal solidarity that binds us, the unyielding resolve to fight until the very end that we possess,” remarked Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni.

“We were prepared to depart in sorrow, cognisant that we had expended every ounce of effort on the pitch, yet their goal served as the catalyst for us to truly demonstrate our mettle.”

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

This marks yet another instance in recent years where England’s players have squandered a commanding lead during the latter stages of a major tournament.

Having established a 1-0 lead over Croatia in the semifinals eight years ago, they ultimately capitulated to a 2-1 reversal.

Likewise, after seizing a 1-0 advantage in the European Championship final against Italy in 2021, they were ultimately vanquished via a penalty shootout.

On Wednesday, England coach Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions seemed more intent on preserving the status quo than on delivering the coup de grâce with an additional goal.

“Argentina played with greater audacity, with heightened rhythmic fluidity, and perhaps with the conviction that they have nothing left to lose—a mindset that liberated them while simultaneously constraining us, as we suddenly found ourselves playing under the weight of having everything to lose,” Tuchel remarked.

Argentina stands on the precipice of history.

Messi, now 39 and almost certainly participating in his final World Cup, is a solitary victory away from further consolidating his claim to be regarded as the preeminent footballer of all time.

“Our objective is to secure victory, and we shall expend every ounce of our energy in pursuit of that aim,” Scaloni declared.

“It is exceedingly challenging to convey to others the magnitude of what these players are demonstrating.

It is nothing short of extraordinary.

We are unparalleled, genuinely so, and this assertion stems not from hubris but from profound conviction.

We are truly one of a kind.”

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

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