Atlanta (AFP) - Lionel Messi engineered a spectacular comeback for Argentina against England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday to keep his team on track for back-to-back titles.

England were agonisingly close to reaching their first World Cup final for 60 years before succumbing to relentless pressure from Lionel Scaloni’s team, who roared back to win 2-1 in Atlanta.

It sets up a mouthwatering contest between reigning European champions Spain and South American champions Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.

The Albiceleste, followed at the 2026 World Cup by legions of fans, are just 90 minutes away from becoming the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.

“The other day I said this group never stops surprising me,” said Scaloni. “And I’ll tell you the truth, we’re going to try to win, we’re going to leave everything out there.

“But after this it’s very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. It’s incredible. We are unique, truly, and it’s not arrogance, it’s from the heart.”

Scaloni’s men have scrapped their way through the knockout rounds, most memorably coming back from the dead to beat Egypt in the last 16.

Messi remains the beating heart of the team even at the age of 39 – scoring eight goals to sit joint top of the Golden Boot standings – and providing four assists.

But it appeared his World Cup dream was dying after Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute.

Argentina, however, refused to be beaten, pouring forward in waves and pinning their opponents back.

Enzo Fernandez smashed home an equaliser from outside the penalty box after Messi’s assist in the 85th minute but still they were not done.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez rose to head home Messi’s cross in stoppage time to complete the comeback and England ran out of time.

Man-of-the-match Messi, who had never faced England previously, hailed the character of Argentina, saying “the story never ends”.

“This was just a football game, but of course it’s quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context,” he said.

Argentina are 90 minutes away from claiming a fourth straight major title after winning two South American championships and the 2022 World Cup.

But defeat is another bitter blow for the Three Lions, who have reached at least the semi-final stage in four of their past five major tournaments without getting over the line.

- ‘No regrets’ -

England boss Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after his team appeared to hand the initiative to Argentina following Gordon’s opener.

“In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close,” said the German. “We deserved to be up 1-0.

“We played one of our better matches, maybe our best match in the circumstances. The team was top, we couldn’t get over the line but no regrets.”

Captain Harry Kane said the England’s disappointment was profound, adding: “Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans.”

“God Save the King” was drowned out by Argentine singing in a crowd dominated by supporters in the blue-and-white shirts of the defending champions.

David and Victoria Beckham were in the crowd to support England at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

The build-up to the fixture was given added spice by a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel upped the stakes by calling the English “usurping pirates”, despite efforts by head coach Scaloni to keep the focus on the game.

As they celebrated Argentina’s players held up a banner on the pitch saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine).

Spain produced a masterclass to beat favourites France 2-0 in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, meaning Messi will face the country where he played most of his career for Barcelona.