Lionel Scaloni has given his account of how Argentina engineered one of the tournament's most dramatic comebacks, crediting his players' instinct for sensing weakness in an England side that appeared to lose its nerve in the closing stages of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.

Speaking after his side's 2-1 win in Atlanta, the Argentina coach explained that although his team had spent long stretches under pressure, they detected a shift in England's body language once the match tightened up. He described the feeling as almost predatory, saying Argentina could sense their opponents second-guessing themselves and moved decisively to exploit it.

The turnaround unfolded in stunning fashion. England had led since the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon and looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, dropping into a defensive shape to protect the lead. But Argentina refused to fold, drawing level through a long-range strike from Enzo FernΓ‘ndez before substitute Lautaro MartΓ­nez headed home the winner in stoppage time, completing a six-minute swing that ended England's hopes.

For Scaloni, the manner of the win said as much about character as it did about tactics. He pointed to the way his side responded after conceding as evidence of something deeper than a game plan, framing the comeback as proof of a resilience that has now defined Argentina's campaign more than once at this tournament.

The victory sends Argentina back into the World Cup final for the second straight tournament, where they will meet a Spain side that stunned France in the other semi-final. Should Scaloni's team win on Sunday, they would become just the third nation in history β€” after Brazil in 1958 and 1962 β€” to lift consecutive World Cup titles, and the first team to do so in over sixty years.

Beyond the tactical praise, Scaloni was candid in admitting his side could have made the result even more emphatic, noting that Argentina finished the game firmly on top and generating further chances after England's resistance finally broke. He described the emotions of guiding the team to a second consecutive final as difficult to put into words, calling it a moment of pride for both his squad and the country watching back home.

The aftermath of the match, however, was not without controversy. Scenes at the final whistle turned tense between players from both sides, and Argentina now face separate scrutiny after images circulated of banners referencing the Falklands being displayed by squad members inside the stadium β€” a matter that could draw attention from football's governing body in the days ahead.

For now, though, the story out of Atlanta remains Argentina's nerve under pressure and their coach's belief that football, at its highest level, is decided as much in the mind as on the pitch. Sunday's final against Spain at MetLife Stadium will offer the clearest test yet of whether that conviction can carry them to a historic second straight title.