The England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory for Argentina, with player ratings revealing standout performances and critical mistakes. Here is our full analysis of every player on the pitch.
England Player Ratings: Key Performances
England lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jordan Pickford earning a 7 rating despite conceding two goals. He made a sensational save from González but will be remembered for the loss.
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Reece James dominated his flank with a 7 rating, justifying his return from injury. John Stones was a rock until the last 10 minutes, when his lack of game time caught up with him, earning a 7.
Marc Guéhi was Mr Reliable in defence, not putting a foot wrong and unlucky to be on the losing side (7). Djed Spence delivered a Bobby Moore-esque tackle to stop Simeone, earning an 8 rating.
Midfield and Attack: Mixed Results
Elliot Anderson delivered an all-action display (7) but was booked for a brutal tackle on Messi. Declan Rice looked more like his usual self (6) but had to be taken off as England tried to protect their lead.
Morgan Rogers was preferred on the right flank and set up Gordon brilliantly (7). Jude Bellingham was fired up but couldn't save England this time (6). Anthony Gordon came of age, scoring in a World Cup semi-final (8). Harry Kane provided the long pass for England's goal but was hugely disappointed with his impact (5).
Substitutes Impact
Ezri Konsa (for Gordon, 72) slotted into a back three but was at fault for Martínez's winner (5). Dan Burn (for James, 83) had third time unlucky cameos (5). Nico O'Reilly (for Rice, 83) could not prevent Messi's cross for the winning goal (6). Ivan Toney (for Stones, 90+3) was too late to make an impact (6). Marcus Rashford (for Spence, 90+3) tried his best to drag England level (6).
Argentina Player Ratings
Argentina lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Emiliano Martínez had no chance with Gordon's goal but was largely a spectator (6). Nahuel Molina struggled to contain Spence and Gordon's combination play down England's left flank (6).
Cristian Romero squared up to Bellingham inside the first minute and showed some nifty footwork throughout the match.
| Player | Rating | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Djed Spence (England) | 8 | Bobby Moore-esque tackle |
| Anthony Gordon (England) | 8 | Scored in semi-final |
| Jordan Pickford (England) | 7 | Sensational save from González |
| Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) | 6 | Largely a spectator |
| Harry Kane (England) | 5 | Limited impact despite assist |
Key Takeaways
- Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon were England's best performers with 8 ratings.
- Harry Kane struggled to influence the game, earning only a 5.
- Argentina's Emiliano Martínez had little to do but secured the win.
- Substitutes Ezri Konsa and Dan Burn had poor impacts.
- The match was decided by late defensive errors and Messi's cross.
FAQ
Who was England's best player in the semi-final?
Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon both earned 8 ratings, with Spence making a crucial tackle and Gordon scoring England's only goal.
Why did Harry Kane receive a low rating?
Harry Kane earned a 5 rating because, despite providing the assist for England's goal, he had very little impact on the game and failed to create chances.
Which Argentina player struggled most?
Nahuel Molina earned a 6 rating after struggling to contain the combination play of Spence and Gordon down England's left flank.
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