In a thrilling World Cup semi-final, Argentina triumphed over England with a score of 2-1, showcasing remarkable performances from both teams. The match was filled with tension and excitement, culminating in a decisive victory for Argentina. Here’s a look at the player ratings from this captivating encounter.
England Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford had little opportunity to save either goal but made a sensational stop against González that may be overlooked now. Rating: 7
Reece James dominated his side of the pitch, fully justifying his return to the lineup after injury. Rating: 7
John Stones was solid in defense until the final 10 minutes when a lack of game time became evident. Rating: 7
Marc Guéhi was dependable in England’s defense, rarely putting a foot wrong and was unfortunate to end up on the losing side. Rating: 7
Djed Spence silenced doubters with a performance highlighted by a Bobby Moore-esque tackle to thwart Simeone. Rating: 8
Elliot Anderson delivered another energetic display, receiving a booking for a harsh tackle on Messi but proved he belongs at this level. Rating: 7
Declan Rice appeared more like his usual self, yet had to be substituted as England aimed to protect their lead. Rating: 6
Morgan Rogers, playing in an unusual right flank role, excelled by setting up Gordon’s goal impressively. Rating: 7
Jude Bellingham started strong but nearly lost his temper during injury time, unable to save England this time. Rating: 6
Anthony Gordon emerged as a standout player at this tournament, forever cherishing the memory of scoring in a World Cup semi-final. Rating: 8
Harry Kane provided the long pass that led to England’s goal but will regret not making a bigger impact. Rating: 5
Substitutes included Ezri Konsa (for Gordon, 72) who fell short in his defensive duties leading to Martínez’s equalizer, 5; Dan Burn (for James, 83) who continued his difficult run, 5; Nico O’Reilly (for Rice, 83) who couldn’t stop Messi’s cross for the winning goal, 6; Ivan Toney (for Stones, 90+3) who came on too late to influence the match, 6; and Marcus Rashford (for Spence, 90+3) who made a valiant effort to equalize, 6.
Argentina Player Ratings
Emiliano Martínez had no chance with Gordon’s goal but mostly watched from the sidelines for the remainder of the match. Rating: 6
Nahuel Molina struggled to keep up with the dynamic play from Spence and Gordon on England’s left side. Rating: 6
Cristian Romero faced off against Bellingham early, showcasing his skill with some clever footwork. Rating: 8
Lisandro Martínez played cautiously after receiving a first-half booking, which led to his substitution. Rating: 7
Nicolas Tagliafico had a challenging time dealing with Rogers, and an error on his part allowed Gordon to score. Rating: 5
Leandro Paredes set the tone with an aggressive tackle on Anderson but failed to maintain his usual midfield control. Rating: 5
Enzo Fernández was inches away from a stunning goal in the first half before scoring a fantastic equalizer that broke England’s hearts. Rating: 8
Alexis Mac Allister was extremely unlucky not to find the net, hitting both posts; he was back to his best form. Rating: 8
Giuliani Simeone was consistently involved but missed a crucial opportunity when clean through on goal. Rating: 6
Lionel Messi displayed his brilliance with impressive touches and runs, proving he still shines on the grandest stage. Rating: 9
Julián Álvarez troubled England continuously on Argentina’s left side throughout the match, establishing himself as Messi’s successor. Rating: 8
Substitutes included Nicolás González (for Paredes, 65) who was denied an equalizer by Pickford but energized Argentina’s offense, 8; Nicolás Otamendi (for L Martínez, 72), impressive at 38 years of age, 7; Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina, 72) who significantly improved the defense as Argentina pushed for a goal, 7; Rodrigo De Paul (for Simeone, 72) who made a notable impact in changing the game, 8; and Lautaro Martínez (for Tagliafico, 81) who emerged as Argentina’s hero with a brilliant header, 8.
