In a thrilling World Cup semi-final, Argentina edged out England with a score of 2-1, securing their place in the final. The match showcased a blend of skill and intensity, reflecting the high stakes involved.
As the game unfolded, England fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jordan Pickford, while facing little chance with either goal, managed a spectacular save from González, earning a rating of 7. Reece James made a significant impact, dominating his side of the pitch and justifying his return from injury with another score of 7.
John Stones was a solid presence in defense until the final moments when fatigue set in, also receiving a 7. Marc Guéhi proved his reliability once more, not faltering in his duties and earning a 7 despite the loss. Djed Spence further impressed, showcasing a Bobby Moore-like tackle on Simeone, which earned him an 8. Elliot Anderson displayed an energetic performance, being booked for a harsh challenge on Messi, yet demonstrated his capability at this level with a score of 7.
Declan Rice appeared more like his usual self, although he had to be substituted as England attempted to maintain their lead, resulting in a 6. Morgan Rogers excelled in an unusual right flank role, creating a brilliant chance for Gordon and receiving a 7. Jude Bellingham started strong but struggled to maintain composure in the dying minutes, finishing with a 6. Anthony Gordon, who scored in the semi-final, performed admirably, earning an 8 for his efforts. In contrast, Harry Kane, who provided the assist for the goal, will feel disappointed with his overall impact, rating only a 5.
Substitutes also played a role, with Ezri Konsa (for Gordon, 72) stepping into the back three but faltering on Martinez’s equalizer, rated at 5. Dan Burn (for James, 83) faced a tough match after prior appearances, also receiving a 5. Nico O’Reilly (for Rice, 83) was unable to intercept Messi’s cross leading to the winning goal, while Ivan Toney (for Stones, 90+3) came on too late to influence the game, rated at 6. Finally, Marcus Rashford (for Spence, 90+3) put in a valiant effort to equalize, also scoring a 6.
Argentina’s Performance
Argentina, set up in a 4-3-3 formation, faced their own challenges. Emiliano Martínez, while not at fault for Gordon’s goal, spent much of the match as a bystander, earning a rating of 6. Nahuel Molina struggled against the strong attacking play from Spence and Gordon, resulting in a 6.
Cristian Romero impressed right from the first minute, showing remarkable footwork against Bellingham and receiving an 8. Lisandro Martínez, who played cautiously after an early booking, was substituted as a precaution, rated at 7. Nicolas Tagliafico had a challenging game against Rogers and was partly responsible for Gordon’s goal, earning a 5.
Leandro Paredes struggled to exert control in midfield despite an early challenge on Anderson, rated at 5. Enzo Fernández came close to scoring an incredible goal before netting a stunning equalizer, receiving an 8. Alexis Mac Allister was unfortunate not to score, hitting both posts and showcasing his return to form with another 8.
Giuliani Simeone remained active throughout but missed a golden opportunity when clean through, rated at 6. Lionel Messi delivered breathtaking performances with his skillful touches and runs, deserving of a 9 for his contributions. Julián Alvarez also posed significant problems for England, continuing to establish himself as Messi’s successor, earning an 8.
The substitutes made impactful contributions: Nicolás González (for Paredes, 65) was denied a goal by Pickford but invigorated Argentina’s offense, rated at 8. Nicolás Otamendi (for L Martínez, 72) continued to impress despite his age, rating at 7. Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina, 72) significantly improved the team’s performance as they sought an equalizer, rated at 7. Rodrigo De Paul (for Simeone, 72) compensated for his earlier omission by helping to shift the momentum, earning an 8. Lastly, Lautaro Martínez (for Tagliafico, 81) emerged as a hero with a brilliant header, also rated at 8.
