England suffered late heartbreak in their World Cup semi-final against Argentina as the defending champions produced a stunning late comeback to reach another final, where they will play Spain on Sunday.
The Three Lions, bidding to reach a first men’s World Cup final in 60 years, took the lead early in the second half when Anthony Gordon steered in a cross from Morgan Rogers.
It looked to be a crucial breakthrough, following a tetchy first half littered with fouls and which saw no shots on target, but England then dropped too deep and invited endless waves of pressure from Argentina.
Eventually, the defending champions broke through with Enzo Fernandez beating Jordan Pickford with a stunning goal from range before Lautaro Martinez grabbed the winner with a header at the back post.
Here are how the players rated from England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina
England
Jordan Pickford, 6: The England goalkeeper could do little about the second goal but perhaps got his positioning a little off for the first. Can’t be blamed for not holding out after a surprising change in tactics.
Reece James, 6: Looked to get forward at every opportunity and troubled the Argentina defence at times. Helped England threaten and was solid enough in defence before coming off.
John Stones, 6: Another settled performance in the first half as neither side was able to really trouble the other. Was called into action much more frequently in the second half, and made a pivotal clearing header to prevent a ball across goal. Was up against it late on as England sat back.
Marc Guehi, 6: On the whole was also untroubled for the most part in the first half, and could do little about Argentina’s equaliser. Was another who was put up against it as Tuchel changed tactics, and was unable to hold out for the 30 minutes or so.
Djed Spence, 8: The Spurs defender was the player of the game for England. He made good early dribbles, made space for Gordon and looked a real threat in attack, while also putting in a superb sliding challenge to prevent Simeone right after England had scored.
Elliot Anderson, 7: Seemed to be everywhere at one point, and looked like the man tasked with marshalling Messi’s every move. Did it well in the first half but was deservedly booked. Couldn’t do much as Messi dropped deeper to affect play, but had a solid performance.
Declan Rice, 6: Also seemed to be everywhere and brought plenty of energy to the first portion of the first half, though again maybe wasn’t quite himself. Was unable to take control of the midfield throughout.
Morgan Rogers, 6: Took on his man at the first opportunity and dovetailed well with James. Was left a little isolated at times but put in a brilliant cross for the opening goal and gave a performance deserving of his starting berth.
Jude Bellingham, 7: Argentina tried to antagonise him early on but he was up for the occasion. Won two dangerous free-kicks but was unable to impose himself on a first half that was disjointed from both sides. Helped England up the pitch in the second half but was another who was left a little isolated, especially after Gordon scored.
Anthony Gordon, 7: The Barcelona man has become one of England’s unsung heroes and he provided an early outlet for his and worked well with Spence in Atlanta. Escaped Molina superbly and finished equally as well as he scored the opening goal.
Harry Kane, 6: Dropped deep to help create but left England a little light up top. Overall the England captain was fairly anonymous as his side struggled in attack, especially after going ahead.
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa, 6: Brought on to try and get England ahead but could do little as Argentina piled on pressure.
Nico O’Reilly, 6: Not a lot the youngster could do about either goal as England struggled late on. Still a campaign to remember for the City man.
Dan Burn, 6: Another who came on to help England preserve a lead, but another who was left hanging a little bit by a strange string of subs.
Ivan Toney, 6: Another who came on late to try and change things, but he wasn’t given enough time.
Marcus Rashford, 6: Tried to do what he could late on but was limited, as were his teammates.
Manager
Thomas Tuchel, 4: The German set up in the correct way and England were good in the first half and in the lead-up to the goal, but his substitutions were confusing at best and his change in tact proved England’s undoing. Even if they had got an equaliser, how would that team have performed in extra time? Mind-boggling.
Argentina
Emiliano Martinez, 6: Untroubled in the first half, and made a save he’d expect to make to keep it 1-0 in the second. Not a lot he could do about the Gordon goal, and remained untroubled after Argentina scored twice.
Nahuel Molina, 5: Battled well with Gordon and Spence in first half but wasn’t aware enough for the opening goal.
Cristian Romero, 6: Started well overall as Argentina were able to fend off any England pressure, but got a yellow card early into the second half after misjudging Bellingham. Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half and was not to blame for England’s goals.
Lisandro Martinez, 6: Started positively and was key in build-up as the Argentina defence remained untroubled for a lot of the first half, though got himself a yellow card late on. Was unlucky to see a header beaten away by Pickford after ghosting in, and was then subbed early as a precaution.
Nicolas Tagliafico, 6: Had a bit of a shaky start against Rogers but recovered well towards the end of the first half. Not a lot he could do about the goal and was fairly solid overall. Eventually replaced by Lautaro Martinez late on.
Leandro Paredes, 6: Another who tried his luck with the referee early on, though he grew into the game as Argentina started to see more of the ball. Was assured in possession and was perhaps unlucky to come off as Scaloni opted to change things.
Giuliano Simeone, 5: As industrious as ever in the first half but his touch and general play let him down on occasion. A similar story in the second half, but was unlucky to be on the end of a superb challenge from Spence. Came off as Argentina changed tactics.
Enzo Fernandez, 8: Seemed happy to just break up play early on but had the best effort of the first half as a well-hit drive flew narrowly over the bar. Remained key as Argentina began to dominate and scored a brilliant equaliser as he rifled in from outside the box.
Alexis Mac Allister, 7: The Liverpool man was everywhere for his side at one point and tracked back well to nullify England’s attacking threat. Was desperately unlucky to see a great diving header come back off the post.
Lionel Messi, 8: The Argentina legend sprung into life after his side went behind and dictated play throughtout as his team hunted an equaliser and then a winner. His cross for the second was brilliant, and he once again ends up playing a deciding part in a match of utmost importance.
Julian Alvarez, 6: Popped up on the wing and in central areas and carried Argentina’s threat for much of the game alongside Messi. Was unable to impose himself in attack but was lively and energetic throughout.
Substitutes
Nico Gonzalez, 6: The winger was one of the quieter attackers as his team chased the goals, but he played his part in possession and helped defend the lead late on.
Rodrigo De Paul, 7: He was unlucky not to start the game but his introduction changed it further in Argentina’s favour as he helped the holders maintain their late pressure.
Nicolas Otamendi, 6: Did what was asked of him after replacing Martinez in defence in difficult circumstances.
L. Martinez, 7: The striker was brought on to get a late goal and that’s exactly what he did, escaping his marker to nod in a winner and take his side to another World Cup final.
Gonzalo Montiel, 6: Another who did what was expected of him in defence, though he was helped by a disjointed England attack.
Manger
Lionel Scaloni, 8: The Argentina boss set up well to nullify England’s attacking threats and then made sensible subs as his side chased the game. One of them proved inspired as Lautaro Martinez won the game, and it’ll be fascinating to see what he provides against Luis de la Fuente in the final.
