​Editor’s note: Follow for live updates from Argentina-England World Cup showdown!Argentina’s three knockout round games in the 2026 World Cup have all gone down to the wire. Lionel Messi and company beat Cape Verde in extra time, then rallied past Egypt before slipping by Switzerland with a pair of extra-time goals.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThree previous teams in men’s World Cup history have won three or more consecutive games decided in the 80th minute or later, extra time or penalties. Only one went on to win the tournament.The first was Argentina in 1990, which arrived in Italy as the defending champion and was led by Diego Maradona, who nursed an ankle injury during the tournament.That year, Argentina beat rival Brazil in the round of 16 with a late goal by Claudio Caniggia for a 1-0 win. Then, against both Yugoslavia and Italy, La Albiceleste needed penalty kicks to advance. But in the final, it was West Germany that found the late winner, with Andreas Brehme converting an 85th-minute penalty kick to beat Argentina 1-0.⁠At the next tournament in the United States, Brazil followed a similar path four years later, needing late goals or penalty kicks in three straight knockout wins on the way to the title.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAgainst Netherlands in the quarterfinals, the game was knotted up 2-2 until Branco’s 81st minute goal sealed the win. Then, against Sweden, Romario netted a goal in the 80th minute for the 1-0 win. After a scoreless 120 minutes against Italy in the final, Brazil won 3-2 on penalties.Finally, Croatia in 2018 won four straight such games to reach the final.In the final group stage match against Iceland, Ivan Perisic’s 90th minute blast gave Croatia a 2-1 win. Then in the next two knockout stage games against Denmark and Russia, Croatia advanced on penalties. In the semifinals, Mario Mandzukic’s winner came in the 109th minute as Croatia beat England 2-1. However, France ended the run with a 4-2 win in the final.Now Argentina must face a hot English side that is coming off a pair of two-goal Jude Bellingham games.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn paper, it’ll be the toughest match yet for Messi’s team. At No. 4 in FIFA’s world rankings, England is by far the highest-ranked opponent Argentina has faced at this World Cup — Switzerland was next-highest at No. 19.So, either Argentina’s luck will run out — or perhaps Messi will conjure up magic once again.Methodology: Historical data from the Fjelstul World Cup Database. Argentina’s 2026 data from FIFA.1 / 5US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina keeps surviving World Cup drama. History offers a warning.