Zlatan Ibrahimovic Reacts to Argentina Stunning England in World Cup Semis
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Defending champions Argentina are headed back to the World Cup final after a stunning 2-1 victory in the semifinals, leaving England and their fans dejected after they'd taken a 1-0 lead in the second half.
Following the epic comeback, Zlatan Ibrahimovic shared his immediate reaction to what he just witnessed. The Fox Sports analyst said that "England just stopped playing when they scored the goal," allowing Lionel Messi and Argentina to take advantage.
"I don't know why [Thomas Tuchel] made some changes, he went too defensive, and [Lionel] Scaloni went more offensive," Ibrahimovic suggested. "The way Argentina was playing, they didn't panic; they kept attacking."
"Scaloni kept pushing by putting more offensive players. [Lautaro Martinez] came in at the end. I mean, the best team won," he added.
"Something happened there, but then you woke up- Thierry [Henry] said 'the little man,' I would say the big man," Ibrahimovic said of Lionel Messi, adding, "Listen, when Messi switch on, everybody gets scared, even the fans, even us up here in the studio."
Messi didn't score in his team's 2-1 comeback, but had a significant impact as a playmaker. The soccer great assisted Enzo Fernandez's game-tying goal at the 85-minute mark, and then assisted again on substitute Lautaro Martinez's tie-breaking goal in the first two minutes of stoppage time.
Ibrahimovic also called Wednesday's semifinal win "well deserved for Argentina," after they faced adversity once again and battled back to earn the massive comeback win over England.
In the Round of 16, many believed Egypt might send the reigning champions home early. While Egypt held a 2-0 lead in the second half, Argentina responded with three goals from the 79-minute mark into the first minutes of stoppage time to get the win.
The quarterfinals saw Switzerland tie Argentina in the second half, and it looked like they might take the reigning champs to a penalty shootout. Still, Argentina found a way to score two goals in extra time to secure a 3-1 win, with Messi assisting on one of his team's important goals.
And on Wednesday, they found a way to outlast another tough opponent, and once again, Messi was a major reason they won. Even when he doesn't score, he draws defensive attention and can set up plays with incredible passes that seem to have the utmost precision.
Next up, Messi and Argentina take on a tough opponent in top contender Spain. The two teams will meet in the World Cup final on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
For more about the World Cup, visit Newsweek Sports .
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