India, July 16 -- This time, there were no tears. Perhaps Lionel Messi has made peace with the fact that this is how Argentina are going to do it. For the second time in four knockout matches, they were trailing. For the fourth time in as many games, they were living on the edge. Yet, England found out what Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland have: this is not a team that even thinks of giving up. Five minutes from elimination in a World Cup semi-final? That's a lot of time to score two.

So, exultation, not relief, it was for Messi at the final whistle in Atlanta on Wednesday (Thursday, Indian time). Before the smiles, the hugs and the handshakes, he had pumped arms, knees planted on the pitch. England had kept him quiet for most of the se...