Argentina run out of late Messi miracles against Spanish machine

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, July 19 : Argentina staged several dramatic comebacks to reach Sunday's World Cup final but they were powerless against Spain, who beat them 1-0 after extra time and gave the defending champions no chance of producing another miracle.Whether against Egypt in the round of 16 or England in the semi-finals, the Argentines had developed a way of finding their way back into a game, usually thanks to late Lionel Messi goals or assists.But it was not to be on Sunday with Spain having done their homework and keeping the South Americans well away from the danger zone for almost the entire game. Messi, who had scored eight goals in the tournament and delivered four assists, was very quiet. He had scored or assisted in goals in every knockout match in the last two World C