Atlanta (AFP) - Lionel Messi engineered a spectacular comeback for Argentina against England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday to keep the defending champions on track for back-to-back titles.

England were agonisingly close to reaching their first World Cup final for 60 years before succumbing to relentless pressure from Lionel Scaloni’s team, who roared back to win 2-1.

It sets up a mouthwatering contest between reigning European champions Spain and South American champions Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.

“The other day I said this group never stops surprising me,” said Scaloni. “And I’ll tell you the truth, we’re going to try to win, we’re going to leave everything out there.

“But after this it’s very difficult to get people to understand what these players are showing. It’s incredible. We are unique, truly, and it’s not arrogance, it’s from the heart.”

Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute but Argentina refused to be beaten, pouring forward in waves and forcing their opponents back.

Enzo Fernandez smashed home an equaliser from Messi’s assist 30 minutes later but still they were not done.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez rose to head home Messi’s cross in stoppage time to complete the comeback and England ran out of time.

It is a bitter blow for the Three Lions, who have come so close at recent major tournaments but have been unable to get over the line.

Tuchel defended his tactics after England appeared to hand the initiative to Argentina.

“In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close,” said the German. “We deserved to be up 1-0.

“We played one of our better matches, maybe our best match in the circumstances. The team was top, we couldn’t get over the line but no regrets.”

Captain Harry Kane said the English disappointment was enormous, adding: “Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans.”

- Tense atmosphere -

“God Save the King” was drowned out by Argentine singing in a crowd dominated by supporters in the blue-and-white shirts of the defending champions.

David and Victoria Beckham were in the crowd at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

England broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Gordon burst into the box, getting in front of Nahuel Molina to sidefoot home Morgan Rogers’ cross.

Scaloni made a triple change after the second-half hydration break as he searched for a way back into the game.

Alexis Mac Allister thundered a header against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s right-hand post and then drew another save as England clung on to their slender lead.

Three-time champions Argentina got their reward in the 85th minute when Chelsea midfielder Fernandez lashed home from outside the penalty box after being set up by the irrepressible Messi.

Argentina stayed on the front foot, determined to press home their advantage and Messi was again the man for the big moment, producing an inch-perfect cross for Martinez to head home in the 92nd minute.

The 39-year-old has produced the magic again and again in his final World Cup, dragging his team to a third final in three tournaments.

He has scored eight goals so far to sit joint top of the Golden Boot standings and now has four assists as well.

- Tensions -

The fixture between two of the big beasts of global football was given added spice by a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel upped the stakes ahead of kick-off in Atlanta by calling the English “usurping pirates”, despite efforts by head coach Scaloni to keep the focus on the game.

After the game Argentina players held up a banner on the pitch saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentinian).

Spain reached the final after producing a masterclass in Arlington, Texas, to beat favourites France 2-0 on Tuesday, meaning Messi will face the country where he played the majority of his career for Barcelona.