❌

Normal view

Before yesterdayChannel-Football

Argentina 2-1 England player ratings: Messi gets 9/10 with 2 assists while Chelsea & Spurs stars shine

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus
16 July 2026 at 01:35

Argentina have beaten England and made it to the World Cup final, with Lionel Messi and co. now preparing to take on Spain.

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in Wednesday night’s semi-final, but Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored twice late on to send the Three Lions out of the World Cup.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

For England, the 60 years of hurt goes on, and they’ll have to look back at what ended up being a pretty negative performance against Argentina.

Thomas Tuchel went far too defensive after England went ahead, so it’s not exactly the players’ fault, but here’s our look at how the players from both sides rated…

Argentina 2-1 England World Cup semi-final player ratings

Jordan Pickford – 6

Reece James – 7

Djed Spence – 7

Marc Guehi – 6

John Stones – 6

Declan Rice – 7.5

Elliot Anderson – 6

Jude Bellingham – 6.5

Morgan Rogers – 7

Anthony Gordon – 7.5

Harry Kane – 6

Not too many stand-out performers there from England, but Rogers and Gordon combined well for the goal, while Rice also played his part and generally worked hard in a difficult midfield battle. James and Spence were also in good form at both ends of the pitch, with the latter particularly impressive with one last-ditch challenge in the second half.

Emiliano Martinez – 6

Nahuel Molina – 6

Nicolas Tagliafico – 6

Cristian Romero – 8

Lisandro Martinez – 7

Leandro Paredes – 7

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5

Enzo Fernandez – 8

Giulio Simeone – 6

Julian Alvarez – 7

Lionel Messi – 9

Argentina were not exactly spectacular, but Messi and Fernandez produced when it mattered and that will give them confidence against Spain in the final. A word too to Romero, who hasn’t always been at his best in a Tottenham shirt, but who looked like a real leader at the back tonight in an important game, keeping Kane quiet throughout.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Who do you think will win this weekend’s final now? Give us your predictions in the comments!

The post Argentina 2-1 England player ratings: Messi gets 9/10 with 2 assists while Chelsea & Spurs stars shine appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Video: Anthony Gordon puts England 1-0 up against Argentina in World Cup semi-final

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus
16 July 2026 at 00:30

England have taken the lead against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon!

The former Newcastle United winger, who recently sealed a transfer to Barcelona, has his first goal of this summer’s World Cup, and he’s picked a hell of a moment to get it.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Watch below as Gordon tapped in from close range after great play down England’s right-hand side from Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers…

ENGLAND HAVE THE OPENER! ?

Anthony Gordon puts the Three Lions ahead in the World Cup semi-final! pic.twitter.com/5fBlRcf1oI

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 15, 2026

Gordon has often been quite prolific from out wide, so it’s no surprise to see him making that run from the left into the penalty area and finding the back of the net.

Still, he can’t have scored many bigger goals than this one, with England now closing in on a place in their first World Cup final in 60 years!

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Thomas Tuchel’s gamble on Morgan Rogers pays off

It was superb play by Morgan Rogers on the right flank, not normally his best position, to set Gordon up for the simple finish.

Rogers has often played out on the left or in a central attacking midfield role for Aston Villa and England, but he has had to adjust to a new position tonight.

Still, Thomas Tuchel’s gamble looks to have paid off, with Rogers performing well so far and doing brilliantly with his cross to pick out Gordon.

The right-hand side has been an issue for England so far at this tournament, with Bukayo Saka’s fitness issues meaning that Noni Madueke has played a lot of games.

While Madueke has his qualities, he hasn’t had enough of an impact so far, which led to Tuchel trying Rogers on the right this evening, and it looks like a tactical masterstroke.

Can England hold on or even add a second? Give us your thoughts in the comments!

The post Video: Anthony Gordon puts England 1-0 up against Argentina in World Cup semi-final appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Video: Declan Rice praises “incredible” Arsenal transfer target ahead of link-up

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus
15 July 2026 at 23:12

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has praised the “incredible” Morgan Rogers as they play together for England in tonight’s World Cup semi-final vs Argentina.

Rogers starts on the right-hand side for England, with Thomas Tuchel trying something a bit different in this big game after mostly using Noni Madueke in that position throughout this World Cup.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

With Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka not fully fit, another Gunners star Madueke has come in for the Three Lions, but he’s not been that convincing.

Rogers, meanwhile, has been linked with Arsenal very strongly this summer, and it seems Rice is clearly a big fan of the Aston Villa man as they prepare to link up this evening…

Declan Rice looking forward to playing with Morgan Rogers

Declan Rice is back to full fitness ?

And he's excited to see Morgan Rogers start ? pic.twitter.com/J5XzvBX2NT

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 15, 2026

On Rogers starting, Rice said: “Yeah I think the manager’s obviously made a decision there. Morgan’s an incredible player, obviously he’s going to be playing off the right.

“He’s direct, he’s fast, he’s strong, can come inside, so whoever starts, whoever comes off the bench as seen throughout this tournament has made a massive impact, so I don’t think it’s going to affect much, but it’s a player we’re all looking forward to playing with today.”

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Morgan Rogers on Arsenal’s agenda

Rogers has shown outstanding quality with Villa and England, and it seems inevitable that he’ll soon get himself a big move.

As has been widely reported, our understanding is that Arsenal are making Rogers a priority this summer, and the 23-year-old is also keen on the move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners would do well to bring Rogers in, though he doesn’t normally play on the right, so would likely be signed with the view of replacing the departing Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side, or to provide an alternative to the likes of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in the centre.

Either way, Arsenal fans will no doubt be excited that Rice is such a big fan of Rogers, and perhaps take it as a hint that there’s strong interest from everyone at the club in signing him this summer.

The post Video: Declan Rice praises “incredible” Arsenal transfer target ahead of link-up appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ornstein reveals England star “rewarded” with start in unfamiliar role vs Argentina tonight

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus
15 July 2026 at 20:45

England manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly set to start Morgan Rogers on the right against Argentina in tonight’s World Cup semi-final.

The Aston Villa attacking midfielder usually plays on the left or centrally, so this is a slightly unfamiliar role for him, but he’s also someone who’s surely good enough to contribute in almost any attacking role.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

See below for David Ornstein’s update on England’s team selection for this evening’s big game, with the journalist posting on X that Tuchel is set to reward Rogers for his impact off the bench in the win over Norway in the last round…

? Morgan Rogers set to start on right for England in #FIFAWorldCup semi-final v #Argentina. Opportunity would see 23yo Aston Villa forward rewarded after impact off bench against Norway & form for #AVFC + #England across Thomas Tuchel reign @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/f3tAfwuZXu

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 15, 2026

“Morgan Rogers set to start on right for England in #FIFAWorldCup semi-final … Opportunity would see 23yo Aston Villa forward rewarded after impact off bench against Norway & form for #AVFC + across Thomas Tuchel reign,” Ornstein said.

In truth, something needed to change on that right-hand side as Noni Madueke hasn’t been particularly convincing at this tournament, though he’s started a lot of games because Bukayo Saka isn’t 100% fit.

Can England get past Argentina?

Tuchel will need to get his team selection right tonight for this huge game, which some people are calling their biggest since the World Cup final victory in 1966.

England haven’t been in a World Cup final since their only victory 60 years ago, so it would be a huge achievement to do it.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Argentina are the current holders, so will probably be the favourites tonight, especially with Lionel Messi in such exceptional form at this year’s tournament so far.

For England, the key men will surely be Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have both been superb for the Three Lions, though a top young talent like Rogers could also cause Argentina some problems.

The post Ornstein reveals England star “rewarded” with start in unfamiliar role vs Argentina tonight appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal now expected to intensify pursuit of two transfer targets after player’s message to the club

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus
14 July 2026 at 17:21

Arsenal are reportedly now expected to step up their transfer pursuit of Morgan Rogers and Christos Tzolis after the sale of Leandro Trossard.

The Gunners are reigning Premier League champions but will want to build on that success and try to improve even further after notably reaching the Champions League final but losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

It looks like the major changes could take place in attack, with Trossard confirming to Arsenal that he plans to accept an offer to join Besiktas, according to TEAMtalk.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

This is then expected to kickstart Arsenal’s spending, with Aston Villa star Rogers one of their key targets, along with Greek winger Tzolis of Club Brugge.

Arsenal to revamp their attack with new signings and sales

The report also adds that Gabriel Martinelli could leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, though Arsenal can also spend significant money on Rogers and Tzolis even if Trossard is the only one departing.

It’s important in modern football to be careful with squad planning due to Financial Fair Play laws, but it seems Arsenal are confident they could invest in signings even without selling Martinelli on top of Trossard.

The north London giants spent big last summer and it helped them take that crucial step forward to land their first title in 22 years, so if they show similar ambition this year they’ll surely feel they can keep improving and perhaps finally land that elusive Champions League title.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

How to improve this Arsenal team

Even if AFC were fully deserving champions in the end, and unlucky to lose on penalties after a 1-1 draw with PSG, there is clearly room for improvement in Mikel Arteta’s side.

Some fans will feel the title could have been wrapped up even earlier with a bit more spark and flair in the front three, and that’s where someone like Rogers could have a major influence.

And in that final against PSG, Arteta’s side struggled to keep the ball and create enough, even if they were defensively solid, so in future we could perhaps see a more even game with the presence of players like Rogers and Tzolis who can give them more initiative and forward momentum.

The post Arsenal now expected to intensify pursuit of two transfer targets after player’s message to the club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

❌
❌