Royal Birkdale imposes its law at the British Open

There was no ‘Hand of God’ this time. Argentina did not need it. It was the feet of Lionel Messi and the spirit of the team that kept them one step away from the two-time championship.

Down 1-0 in the 85th minute, the Albiceleste reacted to win 2-1 against England. Messi gave two assists: first for Enzo Fernández, then for Lautaro Martínez.

“I told Alexis that I was going to score a goal. It was up to me. Enzo scored a great goal,” Martínez said. “This team continues to show what it is made of.”

As the final whistle blew, Messi fell to his knees.

“This group is incredible, we went looking for them again when things got bad,” said Messi.

Road to the final

Argentina will seek its fourth title against Spain on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be the Finalissima between the champions of the Copa América and Eurocup, canceled earlier due to the war in the Middle East.

“We are in a final again, two in the world in a row, it is impressive,” said Messi.

The match

Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute. Argentina pushed with everything. Fernández tied it with a right-footed shot from outside the area in the 85th. Lautaro scored the winning goal with a header in the second minute of added time.

“We are unique, these people today led us to win this match,” declared Scaloni.

According to statistics, between Gordon’s goal and Lautaro’s, the possession was 88-12 in favor of Argentina.

English side

Harry Kane, visibly affected, declared:

“I’m gutted for the team. We worked so hard. Coming up short is devastating.”

Thomas Tuchel, England coach, was criticized for his defensive changes after 1-0.

Argentina continues to make history. Messi, at 39 years old, is one victory away from cementing his legacy as the best of all time.

An albiceleste tide in Atlanta

The Argentine fans were once again the protagonist. In the World Cup semi-final, the Albiceleste fans made the Mercedes-Benz Stadium a piece of Buenos Aires. They sang without pause and encouraged their team during the 90 minutes.

At 85′, Enzo Fernández equalized after a pass from Lionel Messi. The reaction was immediate: water, glasses and bottles flew from the stands. Then Lautaro Martínez scored 2-1 over England. The celebration extended well beyond the final whistle.

Messi, Fernández and other players walked around the field shirtless, soaked in the festive atmosphere. Nobody wanted to leave. Scaloni, on the verge of tears, declared:

“We are unique, really, and it’s not arrogance, eh? It’s heart. These people today led us to win the game, so I’m grateful.”

Until the security personnel guided the fans towards the exits, the fervor did not stop.

Passion that transcends

Gastón Reinoso, an Argentine resident in Houston, traveled to Atlanta for the game. He explained:

“It is very difficult to explain the passion. When you are Argentine, you feel football as a religion. This can be everything. People forget about religion, politics, everything. Everyone is united.”

Argentina has not had a brilliant start to the tournament, but the fans never wavered. The team repeated the comeback it had already achieved against Egypt on July 7. On this occasion, two goals in the final minutes sealed the pass.

When the water fell from the stands, Reinoso experienced it as “a spray from God, from the sky. I started to cry.”

Now, Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against Spain. Without a doubt, the stands will be dyed blue and white again.

Speed record in the Tour

Norwegian cyclist Søren Wærenskjold, 26, took victory in stage 11 of the Tour de France, the fastest in the history of the race. The 161.3 km journey between Vichy and Nevers was completed at an average speed of 50.9 km/h.

Wærenskjold beat Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen, among others, in a close sprint. Tadej Pogacar, overall leader, arrived alongside Jonas Vingegaard and maintains his advantage of more than three and a half minutes.

The Uno-X Mobility rider confessed his surprise:

“It means everything, it’s my biggest victory so far. I knew there are two or three guys faster than me, but if I’m lucky and have a good sprint, it’s possible.”

Wærenskjold had finished last in the previous stage after a crash in the mountains. At the beginning of Wednesday, he requested medical attention for his right hand. His recovery was complete.

“Sometimes I’m very confident, but other times I feel exhausted and I think it’s impossible to win here. It’s crazy that it happened today.”

Escape and outcome

Mathieu van der Poel and Valentin Paret-Peintre attacked from the start. Julian Alaphilippe, Mathis Le Berre, Nelson Oliveira and Anthon Charmig then escaped, with a lead of 1:15 with 100 km to go. Alaphilippe stayed on the Côte de Billy-Chevannes. The three leaders were caught with 5.5 km to go.

The peloton prepared for the sprint. Wærenskjold, well positioned, reacted first. He compared the feeling to his victory at the Omloop het Nieuwsblad:

“I thought it was too far back, but it opened on the right side. Incredible.”

The Tour continues this Thursday with a new stage.