Lionel Messi delivered the goods when Argentina needed him the most, sending the defending world champs back to the final with a dramatic, late 2-1 comeback victory over England on Tuesday.

ENGLAND 1-2 ARGENTINA — Recap, highlights

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From 1-0 down after 84 minutes, to 2-1 up after 92, Messi, along with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez — the usual suspects for Argentina — came up with two goals after very little went right for them in the first 60 to 70 minutes.

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England were perhaps a bit quick to go defensive, and they paid the ultimate price in the end. Their wait to return to the World Cup final for the first time since 1966, the only time they won it, goes on.

England player ratings vs Argentina

Jordan Pickford: 7 – Well, he was having a brilliant game, for about 84 minutes. Made three difficult saves in the second half to keep it 1-0, but there was very little he could do about either the equalizer or the winner.

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Reece James: 6.5 – Looked rusty early on (understandably so), but recovered well, especially in possession in the middle third which kept Argentina’s left side pinned back most of the game.

John Stones: 6 – Somebody had to get a head on the winning cross, and that somebody needed to be Stones. He didn’t. 90-plus minutes, and it’s a half-second that makes all the difference.

Marc Guehi: 6.5 – Strong in possession without any glaring defensive mishaps.

Djed Spence: 7.5 – It’s hard for a defender to get high marks this high without scoring or assisting the goal(s), but that’s how good Spence was defensively for most of the game, highlighted by his incredible sliding tackle on Giuliano Simeone in the 57th minute.

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Declan Rice: 7 – Put in a real defensive shift, and perhaps it was his departure three minutes earlier that opened up the time and space for the equalizer.

Elliot Anderson: 7 – The only one from England’s midfield (or any line) that got the ball forward with any frequency (8 passes into the final third). His ceiling is somewhere over the moon.

Jude Bellingham: 6 – Far from his best game at this tournament. Perhaps was a bit preoccupied with the extracurriculars going on before and after the whistle, which is exactly what Argentina wanted.

Morgan Rogers: 6.5 – Assisted the goal with a fantastic cross, which probably makes it the “right” selection by Thomas Tuchel, but that was pretty much it from him.

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Anthony Gordon: 7 – Contributions: 55 minutes, 9 passes, 0 dribbles, 1 shot, 1 goal. Efficient.

Harry Kane: 6 – It’s been a long time since Kane had such little influence on a game, but that’s life up against Argentina’s dogged center backs Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez. He occupied them well, though, and was a huge part of why Gordon was able to score.

Argentina player ratings vs England

Emiliano Martinez: 6.5 – Only made one save (2 shots on target for England) and couldn’t connect many long balls (2-for-8).

Nahuel Molina: 6.5 – The source of nearly all of Argentina’s ball progression on the right wing. He was, however, beaten to the ball for England’s goal.

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Cristian Romero: 8 – Credited with 17 defensive contributions. The rest of the backline combined for 13. To say he was busy and a key piece would be an understatement.

Lisandro Martinez: 7 – Had to be careful after receiving a first-half yellow card and toed the line (barely) for 50 minutes.

Nicolas Tagliafico: 6.5 – Aside from Rogers’ cross for the goal, had the left side of defense locked down.

Leandro Paredes: 7.5 – A defensive rock every time he plays for Argentina, providing all the freedom and cover for his midfield mates to do the business further forward.

Alexis Mac Allister: 6.5 – A little lost in the shuffle without much meaningful possession.

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Enzo Fernandez: 8.5 – Look, he’s a very, very good player for Chelsea, but when he pulls on the Albiceleste shirt, he becomes the best, hardest working two-way midfielder in the world. His return to Chelsea next month is going to be… shall we say, interesting.

Giuliano Simeone: 6 – Kept possession well and tracked back defensively, which was his real job. Not much to speak of in the final third.

Lionel Messi: 8 – Quiet as a church mouse for 80 minutes, loud as a lion for the final 15. The first assist is a generous one, admittedly, but who had “pinpoint perfect, right-footed cross over a sea of defenders and right on a teammate’s head for the win” on their bingo card? An unreal ball by the best to ever do it.

Julian Alvarez: 6.5 – Dragged a lot deeper than we’re used to seeing him, but held the ball well when Argentina needed an outlet.