England Player Ratings After World Cup Semi-Final Loss to Argentina

England's journey in the World Cup came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday night, as Argentina staged a late comeback to win in Atlanta. Despite holding the lead late into the match, the Three Lions could not withstand the pressure from the reigning champions.

Player Ratings for England vs Argentina

• Jordan Pickford – 7: The Everton goalkeeper made a crucial low save from Nico Gonzalez to keep England ahead. While some might question his positioning on Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser, the strike was a well-placed shot that found its way through defenders.
• Reece James – 6: Reliable defensively and not beaten one-on-one before being substituted. However, he did not provide the attacking spark he is capable of.
• John Stones – 6: Brought on for his experience to help England manage the pressure. Had a strong headed clearance but could have been closer to Lautaro Martinez for Argentina’s winning goal.
• Marc Guehi – 6: Generally steady but struggled when England dropped deep defensively.
• Djed Spence – 8: Stood out as England’s top performer. His positive dribbling and two nutmegs showed his quality, while a crucial recovery tackle on Simeone was exceptional. He earned much credit from this tournament.
• Elliot Anderson – 7: Actively involved from the start and often fouled by Argentina’s aggressive tactics. Tasked with marking Messi, he earned a booking for a hard challenge on the veteran star. Consistent and solid throughout.
• Declan Rice – 6: Displayed his usual energy but seemed below his best. A rest after a long season might help.
• Morgan Rogers – 6: Came in and out of the action but delivered a brilliant cross setting up Gordon’s opener. England needed to involve him more.
• Jude Bellingham – 6: Maintained composure despite attempts to unsettle him. Played well across the tournament but found little space after England took the lead.
• Anthony Gordon – 7: Scored confidently and led the team’s pressing effectively. Linked well with Djed Spence at times.
• Harry Kane – 6: Struggled to make an impact. Dropped deep to find the ball but lost England’s attacking edge and did not touch the ball inside Argentina’s box.

Substitutes

• Ezri Konsa – 6: Brought on to help defend but was overwhelmed by Argentina’s attack.
• Nico O’Reilly – 6: Added fresh energy to midfield, though England had mostly shifted to damage control.
• Dan Burn – 6: Came on to protect the defense but ended up in more advanced positions, quite different from expectations after his previous strong performance versus Mexico.
• Ivan Toney – N/A: Very limited minutes, no chance to influence the game.
• Marcus Rashford – N/A: Used as a last attempt to change the outcome, showed some promise with a bright run.

The result leaves England reflecting on another near miss in the World Cup. Some players impressed despite the loss, and others may need a break after a demanding season. This team fought hard but fell just short against a relentless Argentine side.