England’s World Cup dreams have ended in a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina as Lionel Messi inspired a chaotic late 2-1 turnaround.

A game that looked like it would go down in English football folklore instead ended in all too familiar despair as the dream of football coming home for the first time since 1966 ended in Atlanta on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).

Anthony Gordon’s strike had England on the cusp of a first men’s World Cup final since Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes lifted the trophy on home soil, but the reigning South America and world champion never quit.

Willed on by a febrile fanbase at a rocking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the magic veteran star Messi, Argentina finally found a way past Thomas Tuchel’s men when Enzo Fernandez slammed home five minutes from time.

The 39-year-old teed up the midfielder for that goal and swung over the added-time cross that Lautaro Martinez headed home to break English hearts and set up Sunday’s (5am Monday AEST) showpiece against European champion Spain.

For England, having lost back-to-back European Championship finals under Sir Gareth Southgate, this was another case of so close yet so far.

Tuchel went too defensive too early as, just like Croatia at this stage eight years ago, they threw away a chance to reach the final.

-AAP