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

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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By:Mark Brus

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.

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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.”

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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.

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“Looks absolutely fine” – positive update on England star’s availability for Argentina clash

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By:Mark Brus

Declan Rice is looking better after a recent battle with a sickness bug that left him bed-ridden for three days, according to Sky Sports.

Watch below for a video update from England’s training base earlier today as Rice could be seen taking part in a session ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina.

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France take on Spain in today’s first semi-final, and by tomorrow night we’ll know whether or not it’s England joining one of those two in this year’s World Cup final.

Luckily for England manager Thomas Tuchel, it now looks like he should have Arsenal midfielder Rice fit and available and in good condition to take on Argentina…

England are training for the final time before their World Cup semi-final with Argentina ???????

Declan Rice is with the squad, who looks to have fully recovered from illness ? pic.twitter.com/MeaoKiOnnz

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2026

The report explains that everyone is in England training now, apart from Jordan Henderson, who injured his arm in that freak incident celebrating the Three Lions’ victory over Mexico.

That’s encouraging, as there have also been some fitness concerns for Reece James during this tournament, so perhaps there’s now hope of him starting tomorrow night as well.

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Can England beat World Cup holders Argentina?

England face old rivals Argentina tomorrow and it’s sure to be their toughest test of the World Cup so far.

Tuchel’s side have shown remarkable character and resilience at times in this year’s competition, but they’ll really need to up their game once again if they are to get past Lionel Messi and co.

Argentina are the reigning world champions and will no doubt be desperate to win the trophy again for what seems highly likely to be Messi’s last ever World Cup.

If England can get past Lionel Scaloni’s side, it’s a huge statement that they can go all the way and win this competition for the first time since 1966.

The post “Looks absolutely fine” – positive update on England star’s availability for Argentina clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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England boss Tuchel faces selection headache ahead of Argentina clash

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By:Ahad Shaukat

England’s preparations for their World Cup semi-final against Argentina have been complicated by a late fitness concern in midfield.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are one victory away from reaching their first World Cup final since 1966, making the availability of every senior player especially important.

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The Three Lions showed resilience to defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-final, but the demanding conditions and quick turnaround have taken a physical toll.

With Argentina likely to crowd central areas and look to control possession through Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul, England will want their strongest possible midfield available in Atlanta.

England remain optimisitc despite illness concern

According to the BBC, England will make a late decision on Declan Rice’s availability for Wednesday’s semi-final.

The Arsenal midfielder is still experiencing the effects of a sickness bug, although his condition is improving and the England camp remain optimistic that he will be able to start.

Rice missed training sessions before the Norway game and was substituted at half-time after struggling physically.

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However, The Guardian reports that he is winning his fitness battle, with Tuchel hoping to pair him with Elliot Anderson against the defending champions.

The midfielder’s importance goes beyond his defensive work. Rice gives England experience, protects the centre-backs and provides the physical power needed to compete with Argentina’s aggressive midfield.

If he cannot start, Kobbie Mainoo or Eberechi Eze could be considered, although either selection would change the balance of the team.

Tuchel must avoid taking unnecessary risk

England’s official match information confirms that the semi-final will be played at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final.

It will be the countries’ first meeting for 21 years and their first World Cup encounter since 2002. England Football has also highlighted the long and often controversial history surrounding the rivalry.

Rice should start only if England’s medical staff are convinced he can maintain his intensity. A semi  final against Argentina is not the match to carry a midfielder who is still feeling weak.

However, his influence makes waiting until the last possible moment understandable.

A fully functioning Rice could be crucial to stopping Argentina from controlling the game, but an unwell version may leave England exposed when the tempo rises.

Argentina make special request to FIFA ahead of their World Cup semi against England

The post England boss Tuchel faces selection headache ahead of Argentina clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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