Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says his team “smelled blood” the moment England’s belief began to waver in their World Cup semi-final, turning a tense contest into a ruthless 2-1 comeback victory.

England had struck first through Anthony Gordon, a sharp finish that briefly silenced the massed ranks of Argentina’s supporters and appeared to tilt the tie in Gareth Southgate’s favour. Rather than panic, Scaloni’s side absorbed the blow and waited for the psychological tide to turn.

That shift came as England, instead of pressing their advantage, began to retreat. Argentina’s midfield sensed space, their forwards sensed hesitation, and the defending champions raised the tempo with the conviction of a team that has lived through these moments before.

The equaliser arrived from distance, Enzo Fernández unleashing a long-range drive that swerved beyond the goalkeeper and reignited Argentine belief. From that point, the match’s emotional balance flipped. England, once composed, grew increasingly conservative, dropping deeper and inviting pressure.

Scaloni later explained that his players recognised the change instantly. The opponent doubted themselves a bit, he said. We smelled blood and went for it. We all felt it. For him, the response after conceding was proof of a mentality forged over years of high-stakes football. After England scored we showed a lot about our football. It is more than tactics and playing pretty football.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez echoed his coach’s assessment, describing how Argentina watched England retreat into their shell. We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward, he said. Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can’t change the gameplan. I think they did it and they put extra defenders.

Deep into stoppage time, that caution proved fatal. Lionel Messi, dropping into a pocket of space, delivered a precise cross that Lautaro Martínez met with a decisive header, completing the turnaround and sending Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final.

Scaloni framed the victory as another chapter in a campaign defined by resilience and emotional steel. I’m lost for words. A great happiness for our country and our people. This shirt merits us giving absolutely everything possible until the very end, he said, as Argentina turned their focus to a final showdown with Spain, while England were left to contest third place against France.