​Argentina’s late goals tell story of this World Cup as Spain awaits in final originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.In the end, no one should’ve been surprised.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf this Argentina team, the 2026 edition, was going to defeat England on Wednesday in a World Cup semifinal, it was probably going to come late.Try very late.England took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a goal from Anthony Gordon.It took until the 85th minute for Enzo Fernandez to crush a rocket past Jordan Pickford and tie the match 1-1.And then it was in the second minute of second half stoppage time when Lautaro Martinez headed home a cross from Lionel Messi for the winning goal.Argentina still had to hold on for about 10 more minutes, but that held up as the winner.MORE: Lionel Messi’s right foot makes its own magic in Argentina stunnerAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt sends Argentina into the World Cup Final on Sunday to face Spain — and no one would bet against the Argentines scoring in dramatic fashion in that match, too.They’ve made a habit of it in this tournament. They’ve now scored 12 goals after the 75th minute of matches.Messi did it in all three group games: 76th minute against Algeria, 90-plus-5 against Austria, and on an 80th-minute free kick against Jordan as a substitute.Argentina needed magic late to hold off Cape Verde in the Round of 32, and both Lisandro Martinez and an own goal in extra time got that done in the 92nd and 111th minutes.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAgainst Egypt in the Round of 16, Argentina staged its dramatic rally with goals from Cristian Romero in the 79th minute, Messi in the 83rd and Fernandez in the second minute of stoppage time.Argentina scored twice in extra time to beat Switzerland in the quarterfinal, Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martinez in the 120th.And then those semifinal goals, from Fernandez and Martinez, to push Argentina onward.Much has been made all tournament about how this is a champion that just knows how to win matches, and yes, that’s true.But this is also a team that has shown a flair for the dramatic, an ability to feel its back against the wall and respond with a firepower that no other team in this World Cup has shown.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpain may possess the ball more than Argentina in the final. Spain might score first.But as the clock ticks down, Argentina may find itself exactly where it wants to be. The pressure will be on, the seconds will be dwindling, and there’ll be just a little more magic to make.That’s their story at this World Cup. It just requires one final chapter.Erling Haaland brought a wild $750 gift home from the World CupAn on-brand finish to Neymar’s Brazil careerChristian Pulisic gives a terrible answer after World Cup-ending lossJerry Jones booed during World Cup match in DallasActor who played Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso makes pro soccer d