In this World Cup, Lionel Messi and Argentina have owned the final minutes.Wednesday's rally past England in the World Cup semifinals - Argentina trailed 1-0 late before winning 2-1 - only added another entry on the long list of late-game dramatics by the defending champions, who will now play Spain in Sunday's final.Among them: A pair of rallies from late-game deficits in the knockout stage, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt and then 1-0 down to beat England.A breakdown of Argentina saving its best for last in this World Cup:Argentina vs AustriaMinute: 90+5Final: Argentina 2, Austria 0Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal against Austria. Picture credit: ReutersIn the second match of the group stage, the outcome wasn’t necessarily in doubt. Argentina led 1-0 in second-half stoppage time, when Lionel Messi got his own rebound and threaded a blast between three defenders for an insurance goal that sealed the victory.Argentina vs JordanMinute: 80thFinal: Argentina 3, Jordan 1Argentina led 2-1 in the group finale, and Lionel Messi - who had just entered the game as a sub - had a free kick from about 25 yards out. He saw a gap in the wall of Jordan defenders, sending a low shot that skipped once and went into the back of the net for the clincher.Argentina vs Cape VerdeMinute: 92nd, then 111thFinal: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2Argentina's Lionel Messi scores their first goal against Caper Verde. (Reuters)The first match of the knockout stage was wild, with Argentina getting two extra-time goals and needing both to hold off the Cinderella story that was Cape Verde. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute for a 2-1 lead, and Messi served up a perfect ball off a corner kick that became an own goal in the 111th minute -- the one that gave Argentina a 3-2 win.Argentina vs EgyptMinute: 79th, 83rd, then 90+2Final: Argentina 3, Egypt 2Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal against Egypt. (Reuters)The champions looked done in the round of 16, with Egypt up 2-0 with 11 minutes left before second-half stoppage time. And then the comeback of the tournament happened, with Cristian Romero scoring in the 79th minute, Messi connecting four minutes later and Enzo Fernandez getting the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time.Argentina vs SwitzerlandMinute: 112th, then 120+1Final: Argentina 3, Switzerland 1Lionel Messi (10) and teammates celebrate their victory over Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Kansas City. APSwitzerland was down to 10 men, but sent its quarterfinal with Argentina to extra time anyway. And eventually, Argentina got the breakthrough: Julián Álvarez scored the go-ahead goal in the 112th minute, then Lautaro Martinez scored in the final moments as the champions moved into the semifinals with a 3-1 victory.Argentina vs EnglandMinute: 85th, then 90+2Final: Argentina 2, England 1Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring their second goal against England in the semifinals. (Reuters)Enzo Fernandez scored in the 85th minute, Lautaro Martinez scored two minutes into stoppage time and Messi assisted on both goals as Argentina rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat England 2-1 and move into the World Cup final. Those goals gave Argentina a staggering 11 tallies in the 79th minute of play or later in this tournament.
