Argentina kings of late-game heroics

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 their best for last in this World Cup:

June 22: Messi to seal a group stage win

— Minute: 90+5

— Final: Argentina 2, Austria 0

In 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.

June 27: Messi comes through late once again

— Minute: 80th

— Final: Argentina 3, Jordan 1

Argentina 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.

July 3: Martinez and an own goal vs Cape Verde

— Minute: 92nd, then 111th

— Final: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2

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.

July 7: The three-goal rally vs Egypt

— Minute: 79th, 83rd, then 90+2

— Final: Argentina 3, Egypt 2

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.

July 11: A pair of late goals to beat Switzerland

— Minute: 112th, then 120+1

— Final: Argentina 3, Switzerland 1