England vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal

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The second finalist at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined this evening as defending champions Argentina take on a hungry England side looking to make history.

In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Three Lions will get a chance to do just that, having to go through the reigning title-winners while seeking their first World Cup crown since 1966.

38-year-old Lionel Messi now stands in England's way, as the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history is in the path of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and the rest of the English squad.

The winner will take on Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, NJ, after La Roja shut down France 2-0 in a preview of the stingy test that awaits England or Argentina.

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.

LIVE: Follow England vs. Argentina updates from 2026 World Cup semifinal

England vs. Argentina live score

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, 5. J. Stones, 6. M. Guehi, 25. D. Spence — 4. D. Rice, 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon — 9. H. Kane.

Argentina starting lineup:

4-4-2, right to left: 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina, 13. C. Romero, 6. L. Martinez, 3. N. Tagliafico — 17. G. Simeone, 20. A. Mac Allister, 5. L. Paredes, 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez.

England player ratings vs. Argentina

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Reece James — Grade pending

Did well getting forward, knowing he didn't have lots of width to deal with from Argentina.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: John Stones — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: Marc Guehi — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left-back: Djed Spence — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Declan Rice — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Elliot Anderson — Grade pending

Was a target of Argentina's early foul strategy, drawing three whistles in the opening 20 minutes. 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 saw England furious.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right winger: Morgan Rogers — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left winger: Anthony Gordon — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Striker: Harry Kane — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

England substitutes vs. Argentina

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

England coach vs. Argentina

Thomas Tuchel: Grade pending

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Argentina player ratings vs. England

Starters

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Nahuel Molina — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: Cristian Romero — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right midfielder: Giuliano Simeone — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Leandro Paredes — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — Grade pending

He has had a scatterbrained World Cup, and that continued in 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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right forward: Lionel Messi — Grade pending

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.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left forward: Julian Alvarez — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Argentina substitutes vs. England

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

Argentina coach vs. England

Lionel Scaloni: 8

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.

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