Superdeportivo – La Rioja

You are not supposed to write like this. Would it be unprofessional to admit that these words are being written through tears? Is there room for emotion in the journalist’s handbook? Where does passion fit in? How can anyone avoid identifying with such an extraordinary display of commitment, character and faith? From what position are we supposed to say that Argentina played a match that will be remembered in World Cup history, regardless of what happens on Sunday? How can you not cry with Messi, with Paredes, with Scaloni’s substitutions, with Enzo’s roar, with Barco running onto the pitch to celebrate like a man possessed? How can you not be moved when you are watching history unfold live before your eyes?

Argentina are World Cup finalists. Argentina humiliated England’s miserly, defensive approach. Argentina came from behind once again. Argentina… I cannot take any more.

This was not just another match. Because of the emotional weight, because it was a semifinal, or for any other reason you might choose, neither side came out simply to play football. They came out to fight and to make it clear that neither was willing to suffer the kind of humiliation France had endured the previous day.

Argentina knew England would begin by pressing high, so they took the match into their own rhythm and their own atmosphere. During the first five challenges involving two players, the Argentines added a little contact with an arm. The English fell into the trap, became nervous and the match quickly turned heated.

The tension was absolute. As the minutes passed, the man controlling the tempo began to be Leandro Paredes. Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández were constantly moving to offer passing options, and England’s promised early onslaught began to lose its impact, even though they continued to look threatening down the flanks, particularly when Rogers pushed forward on the right.

The first superstar to make his presence felt was Messi, combining quickly with Alexis. The match remained a battle, but both teams were also beginning to play. Kane dropped a few metres deeper because of Bellingham’s passivity and helped build a good attack, quickly moving the ball out wide. However, Dibu Martínez comfortably dealt with what became a weak, low cross.

Enzo carried the ball well through the middle before playing it left to Tagliafico. Julián Álvarez called for it out wide, and the resulting cross ended with Messi unsuccessfully attempting to provide an assist with his chest.

That was how Argentina also began to pose a threat during a breathless first half. They won a couple of free kicks near the penalty area, although those situations ultimately created more anticipation than genuine danger.

They had barely reorganised following one of those moves when Messi dribbled past three players. As he attempted to beat a fourth, Andersen brought him down, received a yellow card and raised the temperature of a match that was never going to cool down.

Whenever one team pushed forward with determination, the other responded in kind. Every detail mattered, and Argentina began to win those small battles. Simeone anticipated everyone, creating a move that gave Julián two shots from inside the penalty area within the space of two minutes. Pickford saved both of them brilliantly.

Argentina were beginning to control possession, but every long English counterattacking ball was torture. Whenever Scaloni’s team lost possession, they were left dangerously exposed. That was how Cuti Romero received a yellow card, and it was also how England broke down the right. Gordon got ahead of Molina and turned the match on its head.

Argentina responded almost immediately. Messi produced an excellent run while facing away from goal and passed to Enzo, who sent Simeone racing towards the net. Spence recovered and stopped him magnificently.

Argentina pressed forward despite knowing the risks, while England dropped back and waited for their chance. One of two things was going to happen first: the equaliser or England’s second goal.

The decision to bring on Nico González caused some surprise. It made sense to exploit the left side of England’s defence, but it was equally true that Paredes had been playing a tremendous match.

Enzo can play as a holding midfielder, but the Boca midfielder finds it harder to replicate Fernández’s role than Fernández would find it to replace him. Even so, it quickly became clear that the substitute’s contribution would be important.

Messi beat two defenders and set up González. He beat another two and once again put Nico in a goalscoring position. Then he escaped two more players and delivered a cross, but the substitute was unable to direct his effort properly and allowed Pickford to shine.

Mac Allister found De Paul, whose shot crashed against the post. Messi placed the ball on Nico González’s head again, and his effort went inches wide. Enzo shot, and the goalkeeper saved.

It was possible to interpret all of this as proof that Argentina were still very much alive. It was also possible to fear that they had already used up all their luck in the previous rounds.

England had fallen completely in love with their formula of defending and defending. In the end, however, justice finally intervened. Fernández—“El Topo” Fernández from this afternoon onward—filled his face with the joy of scoring.

England had apparently left the sportsmanship and fair play they promote as their emblem back in London. They had no idea how to reach extra time because Argentina, supported by the best atmosphere of the entire World Cup, had smelled blood.

Mac Allister struck the post once again, but Argentina kept coming. The superhero raced down the right and delivered a cross with his right foot—yes, his right—and then came Lautaro.

Julián Álvarez stopped Kane’s attack. Messi chased Bellingham. De Paul became the team’s engine once again. Dibu flew higher than ever.

Every player multiplied his efforts for the sky blue and white—or for the dark blue shirt that will remain in the DNA of our children, our grandchildren and even the generations we will never live to see.

The bond between this team and its supporters is deeply moving. This was not just another match. It was not. It never will be.