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England vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The second finalist at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined this evening as defending champions Argentina take on a hungry England side looking to make history.
In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Three Lions will get a chance to do just that, having to go through the reigning title-winners while seeking their first World Cup crown since 1966.
38-year-old Lionel Messi now stands in England's way, as the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history is in the path of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and the rest of the English squad.
The winner will take on Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, NJ, after La Roja shut down France 2-0 in a preview of the stingy test that awaits England or Argentina.
The Sporting News brings you a full list of live player ratings for the match, analyzing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
LIVE:Follow England vs. Argentina updates from 2026 World Cup semifinal
England vs. Argentina live score
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Referee: Ismael Elfath (USA)
England starting lineup:
4-2-3-1, right to left: 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 24. R. James, 5. J. Stones, 6. M. Guehi, 25. D. Spence — 4. D. Rice, 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon — 9. H. Kane.
Argentina starting lineup:
4-4-2, right to left: 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina, 13. C. Romero, 6. L. Martinez, 3. N. Tagliafico — 17. G. Simeone, 20. A. Mac Allister, 5. L. Paredes, 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez.
England player ratings vs. Argentina
All ratings are on a 10-point scale.
Starters
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford — Grade pending
Didn't have a single save to make in the first half, as Argentina had no interest in testing the goalkeeper. His distribution was solid, keeping his side out of danger amidst a slight press.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right-back: Reece James — Grade pending
Did well getting forward, knowing he didn't have lots of width to deal with from Argentina. It was difficult, though, with Morgan Rogers contributing very little. Completed 17 of his 18 first-half passes, even while spending most of his time on the ball in the attacking half.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right center-back: John Stones — Grade pending
Didn't have lots of defending to do, as Argentina didn't look to get anyone other than Lionel Messi into the penalty area. Had one of the few chances in the first half for either side,
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left center-back: Marc Guehi — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left-back: Djed Spence — Grade pending
Djed Spence was rewarded with a start at his natural left-back position for his excellent deputy work on the right throughout this tournament. He was bright early on, dribbling through defenders down the left. He nutmegged Nahuel Molina in the fifth minute down near the corner flag. Then a minute later he managed to stay on the ball amidst a heavy contest from Giuliano Simeone. 'Megged another Argentina defender 10 minutes later as he continued to cook.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Declan Rice — Grade pending
Was completely invisible in the first half. Managed just 25 touches to Elliot Anderson's 51, leaving his midfield partner to do all the heavy lifting.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Elliot Anderson — Grade pending
Was a target of Argentina's early foul strategy, drawing three whistles in the opening 20 minutes and five throughout the opening half. Managed to keep his head about him and carry on, which is impressive. Drew an unfortunate yellow card when he was booked for fouling Lionel Messi, which left England furious.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right winger: Morgan Rogers — Grade pending
With Djed Spence cooking, Rogers played a more off-ball winger role, but he did well when he got on the ball himself, also managing to work a cross on the dribble. Unfortunately, he faded in the first half, appearing in very few England attacks overall. A poor first 45 minutes overall.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham — Grade pending
Had plenty of needle early in the match, winning fouls and keeping the intensity up. Like Anderson, got kicked repeatedly in the first half-hour, but began to get on his flow after that as he dribbled past Giuliano Simeone to win a free-kick just outside the penalty area.
Past the 30-minute mark, Bellingham started to have a much bigger effect on the match, which caused Argentina to just kick him more.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left winger: Anthony Gordon — Grade pending
Did well to get down the left early, combining with an excitable Djed Spence, but couldn't get a shot off in the 15th minute as his dribbling allowed five defenders to swarm the England winger and smother the chance.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Striker: Harry Kane — Grade pending
Only 13 touches in the first half, including none in the penalty area, as Kane was unable to get involved in the match. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for a traditional No. 9, but for someone like Kane who likes to drop into midfield, he was unable to both aid his teammates in ushering possession forward and arrive late in the penalty area for chances on goal.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
England substitutes vs. Argentina
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.
England coach vs. Argentina
Thomas Tuchel: Grade pending
This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.
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Argentina player ratings vs. England
Starters
Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez — Grade pending
Did well to deal with England's early crosses, and distributed well, only missing with his three long balls in the first half.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right-back: Nahuel Molina — Grade pending
It wasn't exactly pretty for Nahuel Molina against the combination of Anthony Gordon and Djed Spence, but it was effective, as he prevented either one from making things happen in the penalty area.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right center-back: Cristian Romero — Grade pending
While Lisandro Martinez fumbled around next to him, Cristian Romero was fantastic defensively, playing the role of a brick wall as England tried to advance into the attacking third.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — Grade pending
Solid in possession, but shaky defending in transition. Was booked in the 42nd minute for dragging Morgan Rogers back by his shirt in midfield to stop a counter.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — Grade pending
Contributed his fair share of physicality to Argentina's approach, but also managed to keep Morgan Rogers and Reece James completely in check, winning all of his four first-half ground duels.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right midfielder: Giuliano Simeone — Grade pending
Was an absolute loose cannon early on, looking like he was playing at mach speed. That's not necessarily a good thing, as he was all over the place in the first quarter of the match, and it continued as he was whistled for four fouls in the opening 32 minutes.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Leandro Paredes — Grade pending
Was extremely physical early in the game, making all kinds of hard challenges in midfield to break up play with England on the ball. It was clear he was trying to get under Jude Bellingham's skin, but he was laughed off.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — Grade pending
Given freedom to roam and break up play, Mac Allister was a bit lost in the middle of the field, without a defined role. Looked a bit slow in the process, but managed to bust up England's build up a bit.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — Grade pending
He has had a scatterbrained World Cup, and that continued in this match as he was all over the pitch, but not in a good way. His best moment was taking a long-distance shot that just barely fizzed wide, but otherwise he kept losing duels all over the pitch, and failed to create much up front, with most of his passing sideways.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right forward: Lionel Messi — Grade pending
Was slow to get going, but exploded to life when he dribbled through three players and was fouled, winning a free-kick and getting Elliot Anderson controversially booked.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left forward: Julian Alvarez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Argentina substitutes vs. England
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.
Argentina coach vs. England
Lionel Scaloni: 8
This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.
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