England vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Thomas Tuchel, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Lionel Messi and Argentina were five minutes from exiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup , as the defending champions were seemingly on their way out thanks to Anthony Gordon 's early second-half goal.
It was then that England fell on their own sword, allowing the greatest player of all time to pin them back, and Messi did what he does best by assisting two goals in a thrilling, all-time comeback to win 2-1 and advance to the World Cup final.
Messi assisted goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez , as the former delivered a long-range bolt of lightning and the latter came off the bench to win the game.
It was a disastrous capitulation from Thomas Tuchel and England, who went into a shell far too early and invited pressure onto themselves. Messi took advantage, as Argentina steeled their resolve and delivered late.
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.
MORE: Minute-by-minute recap of England vs. Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal
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 (Burn, 82'), 5. J. Stones ( Toney , 90'), 6. M. Guehi , 25. D. Spence (Rashford, 90') — 4. D. Rice (O'Reilly, 82'), 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon ( Konsa , 72') — 9. H. Kane.
Argentina starting lineup:
4-4-2, right to left:23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina ( Montiel , 72'), 13. C. Romero, 6. La. Martinez ( Otamendi , 72'), 3. N. Tagliafico (La. Martinez, 81') — 17. G. Simeone ( De Paul , 72'), 20. A. Mac Allister, 5. L. Paredes (N. Gonzalez, 64'), 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez.
All ratings are on a 10-point scale.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford — 6
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.
Started the second half with a great save on Julian Alvarez at his near post. Made an outlandish save in the 69th minute as he prevented a header by Nico Gonzalez from finding the back of the net.
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Should have come for the Messi cross that saw Lautaro Martinez score the game-winner.
Right-back: Reece James — 6
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.
After the opening goal, however, James completely stopped pushing forward, as England went into a shell. Ultimately, he came off in the 82nd minute for fresh legs.
Right center-back: John Stones — 6
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, as he put his header slightly wide at the back post on a set-piece.
Made two big clearances in the 66th minute to help England get out of jail as they were being squeezed. Saw the ball graze just over his head on Lautaro Martinez's winner. Eventually had to come off late as he had emptied the gas tank and Tuchel made one last hail mary.
Left center-back: Marc Guehi — 7
Was a machine in the first half, maintaining a high line while hitting on all 40 of his passes and contributing three defensive actions.
Would eventually finish 54-of-55 passing, in a truly strong possessional performance, while also adding five defensive contributions. Could have given more late, however, as England sat back defensively and Guehi didn't have a great influence.
Left-back: Djed Spence — 9
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.
Did well to begin the second half by pushing Julian Alvarez wide enough for Pickford to make a save. Made an absolutely electric tackle in the 57th minute on Giuliano Simeone to prevent a huge Argentina opportunity.
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Central midfielder: Declan Rice — 5
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.
In the second half, it seemed to be going the way way, but he cropped up with a crucial contribution on the opening goal, latching onto the ball in the attacking third and feeding it to Morgan Rogers for a cross.
Central midfielder: Elliot Anderson — 8
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.
Was tenacious all game, controlling midfield until instructions came in to back off and allow Argentina to dictate possession late. Finished with an enormous eight defensive contributions all while leading England with 73 touches.
Anderson can be extremely proud of his World Cup.
Right winger: Morgan Rogers — 6
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.
He cropped up for a beautiful assist on the opening goal, fizzing a cross to the far post for Anthony Gordon to finish.
Overall, did a wonderful job fronting Lionel Messi defensively to help his teammates cover certain spaces he might try to dribble into.
Attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham — 7
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.
Began the second half by defending Lionel Messi very well, marshaling the ball out of play by bodying Messi off it near the end line.
Started to lose his impact on the goal after England went ahead, as Argentina were able to compress the pitch and squeeze England back into their own half.
Left winger: Anthony Gordon — 7
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.
Faded as the first half went on, but started to get more involved early in the second half, most specifically moving into midfield for more touches on the ball.
Scored England's first goal with an exceptional back-post run by beating Nahuel Molina and latching onto Morgan Rogers' cross.
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Gordon's withdrawal for Ezri Konsa was the deathblow for England and Thomas Tuchel.
Striker: Harry Kane — 5
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.
Was effectively negated for most of the game, a feather in Lionel Scaloni's cap.
72nd min — Ezri Konsa: 2
Konsa's introduction for Anthony Gordon was the turning of the tide in this game. The defensive shell didn't work in any way Tuchel envisioned, as England were thoroughly pummeled for the final 20 minutes plus stoppage time. Konsa then was beaten at the back post by Lautaro Martinez on Argentina's winning goal.
82nd min — Dan Burn : 3
Came on late for Tuchel's defensive approach. Had just three touches. Only won two of his four aerial duels.
82nd min — Nico O'Reilly: 4
Came on in the 82nd minute and didn't attempt a single pass.
90th min — Ivan Toney: N/A
A final hail mary from Thomas Tuchel had no time to make an impact.
90th min — Marcus Rashford : N/A
Couldn't claw England back into the game after they fell behind.
Thomas Tuchel: 2
England were in great position for most of this game. They had the resolve to take kick after kick from Argentina throughout the game, and keep their heads about them, remaining resolute in midfield and attacking in the right moments. Anthony Gordon's goal from Morgan Rogers seemed to justify every lineup selection Thomas Tuchel made before the game.
Then, he threw the whole thing away. With twenty minutes plus stoppage time still to go against the defending champions and the greatest player of all-time, Tuchel decided to park the bus. It was FAR too early, and he paid the ultimate price. Withdrawing Anthony Gordon in favor of Ezri Konsa was the biggest transgression, as it allowed Argentina to take firm control of the game and strangle the life out of England, which is their biggest strength but had been rebuffed most of the match to that point.
With essentially a half-hour still to play, Tuchel threw away everything England had achieved to that point, and instead decided to invite pressure on themselves. England had a World Cup final spot in their grasp, and then tossed it off the roof. For everything good they did in this game, they deserved to lose.
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Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez — 6
Did well to deal with England's early crosses, and distributed well, only missing with his three long balls in the first half.
Wasn't much Martinez could do on the England goal. Made just one save in the end, on a nothing shot.
Right-back: Nahuel Molina — 7
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.
Delivered an absolutely vicious cross to the penalty area in the 54th minute that could have found a teammate but eventually was rejected from the 18-yard box. Was beaten by Anthony Gordon on England's opening goal, with his passive stance allowing Gordon to step in front of him for the finish.
Came off for Gonzalo Montiel with 18 minutes to go as Argentina needed fresh legs to push up into the attack.
Right center-back: Cristian Romero — 9
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.
Started the second half by making a delicious play on the ball to see a pressing Anthony Gordon go flying by, but then absorbed a professional booking by bear-hugging Jude Bellingham to stop a transitional play.
Pushed higher up the field once Argentina grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck and helped his country strangle the game. Finished the match with 75 touches and an outlandish 17 defensive contributions. He was a monster at the back, and put his boot on the neck of England.
Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — 6
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.
He shored things up after halftime and helped push the line higher as Argentina tried to squeeze the game, but was hauled off with 18 minutes to go as Lionel Scaloni wanted to protect him from a red card.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — 8
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 five of his ground duels. Came off in the 81st minute as Argentina needed a bigger attacking presence, but Tagliafico was huge for Argentina in this one.
Right midfielder: Giuliano Simeone — 4
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.
Got free down the right before the hour mark, but was far too slow to make a decision as he charged towards the England goal, allowing Djed Spence to make a 30-yard recovery sprint and dispossess Simeone with a strong tackle.
Deservingly withdrawn with 18 minutes to go.
Central midfielder: Leandro Paredes — 7
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.
Provided good strength for Argentina at the base of midfield, avoiding a booking and beginning pressure. It began to have a greater effect on the game as he helped the South American side squeeze the game. It was, thusly, surprising that Paredes was hooked on the hour mark for Nico Gonzalez as Lionel Scaloni needed more attacking threat.
Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — 6
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.
Made a great run splitting the center-backs in the 72nd minute but smashed the header off the crossbar, and then smashed a shot right at the goalkeeper shortly after.
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Left midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — 8
He has had a scatterbrained World Cup, and that continued for much of 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.
Managed to have a greater influence on the game in the second half, helping Argentina to squeeze the game, but his creativity was still lacking.
Finally, cropped up out of nowhere as he receives the ball at the top of the penalty area from Lionel Messi, and powers the equalizer into the back of the net.
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Right forward: Lionel Messi — 8
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.
Really struggled to have a consistent influence on the game. Delivered a 69th minute cross that met the head of Nico Gonzalez, but he put the effort right at Jordan Pickford. Got the easiest assist of his life with the Enzo Fernandez equalizer.
His second assist was a thing of beauty, as he stayed with it after the initial shot hit the post, and recycled it with a pinpoint cross to the head of Lautaro Martinez.
Left forward: Julian Alvarez — 6
Struggled in front of goal throughout the match, but got more and more involved as the game went on. Completed 37-of-40 passes, a high number for a forward, and got three shots of his own while creating one for teammates.
However, by the eye test, Alvarez didn't have much of an influence in this game. He struggled to link up with Lionel Messi and wasn't involved in the comeback.
65th min — Nico Gonzalez: 8
Entered for Leandro Paredes with Argentina down a goal. Stayed largely glued to the left touchline, filling the space vacated by Giuliano Simeone once he departed.
Had a massive chance to level the score, but put his header right at the goalkeeper. Added six defensive contributions and won most of his duels, helping to keep England bunched up and keep the ball in the attacking half.
72nd min — Gonzalo Montiel: 7
Entered for Nahuel Molina with 20 minutes to go. Was critical to the comeback, as he got touches in the opposition penalty area and helped get high up the field to pin back England.
72nd min — Nicolas Otamendi: 8
Came on to prevent Lisandro Martinez from getting a second yellow card. Was a perfect 18-for-18 passing, and delivered five balls into the final third, helping maintain possession high up the field.
72nd min — Rodrigo De Paul: 8
Entered to replace Giuliano Simeone to provide more midfield solidity. It was a masterful substitute performance from the Inter Miami star, as he filled the void of Leandro Paredes exceptionally well.
81st min — Lautaro Martinez: 8
Came on to replace Nicolas Tagliafico as one last throw of the dice from Lionel Scaloni. Scored the winning goal as he headed home a cross from Lionel Messi.
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This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.
Lionel Scaloni: 7
For much of this game, Argentina were second-best to England. They were beaten in midfield often, and struggled to progress the ball up the field, choosing to kick the crap out of their opponents rather than actually play football.
After they fell behind, however, Scaloni let the leash off his side as they searched desperately for a comeback, and they looked much better.
Argentina benefitted as much from Thomas Tuchel retreating into a shell as they did from Lionel Scaloni's changes, but the head man cannot be overlooked for his changes. Of course, bringing Lautaro Martinez off the bench while chasing the game was not exactly a high-level thought, but it still worked to perfection, as Scaloni could tell the game was there for the taking.
