England's World Cup dreams were shattered as Argentina scored twice late in the second half to win 2-1 in the semi-final. Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best, while Harry Kane failed to make a significant impact.
England player ratings
Jordan Pickford: 7 – Had little chance with either goal. Pulled off a sensational save from González but that will be forgotten now.
Reece James: 7 – Dominated his flank and fully justified being brought back into the side after injury.
John Stones: 7 – A rock at the back until the last 10 minutes when his lack of game time caught up with him.
Marc Guéhi: 7 – Mr Reliable in England’s defence didn’t put a foot wrong again and was unlucky to be on losing side.
Djed Spence: 8 – Has won over the doubters and then some. A Bobby Moore-esque tackle to stop Simeone.
Elliot Anderson: 7 – Another all-action display. Booked for taking out Messi brutally but belongs at this level.
Declan Rice: 6 – Looked far more his usual self. But had to be taken off as England tried to protect their lead.
Morgan Rogers: 7 – Preferred in unusual role on right flank and showed why, by setting up Gordon brilliantly.
Jude Bellingham: 6 – Fired up from the start, came close to losing his rag in injury time – couldn’t save England this time.
Anthony Gordon: 8 – Has come of age at this tournament. Will never forget scoring in a World Cup semi-final.
Harry Kane: 5 – It was from his long pass that England scored. But he will be hugely disappointed not to have had more of an impact.
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa (for Gordon, 72): 5 – Slotted into back three but at fault for Martínez’s winner.
Dan Burn (for James, 83): 5 – Third time unlucky after his cameos against Mexico and Norway.
Nico O’Reilly (for Rice, 83): 6 – Could not prevent Messi’s cross for the winning goal.
Ivan Toney (for Stones, 90+3): 6 – Far too late to make an impact.
Marcus Rashford (for Spence, 90+3): 6 – Tried his best to drag England level.
Argentina player ratings
Emiliano Martínez: 6 – No chance with Gordon’s goal but was largely a spectator for the rest of the match.
Nahuel Molina: 6 – Struggled to contain Spence’s and Gordon’s strong combination play down England’s left flank.
Cristian Romero: 8 – Squared up to Bellingham inside the first minute and showed some nifty footwork to get himself out of trouble.
Lisandro Martínez: 7 – Walked the tightrope after being booked in the first half so was no surprise to see him taken off.
Nicolas Tagliafico: 5 – Had his hands full with Rogers and it was from his error that Gordon was able to score.
Leandro Paredes: 5 – Early reducer on Anderson set the tone, but he could not exert his usual dominance in midfield.
Enzo Fernández: 8 – Inches away from an amazing goal in the first half before breaking England’s hearts with a stunning equaliser.
Alexis Mac Allister: 8 – So unlucky not to score after hitting both posts. The Liverpool man was back to his best.
Giuliani Simeone: 6 – Like father, like son. Always in the thick of things but couldn’t take his chance when clean through.
Lionel Messi: 9 – Some imperious touches and mazy runs that belied his age. Deserves to sign off on the biggest stage of them all.
Julián Álvarez: 8 – Caused huge problems for England down Argentina’s left flank all afternoon. Messi’s heir in waiting.
Argentina substitutes
Nicolás González (for Paredes, 65): 8 – Denied equaliser by Pickford but added impetus to Argentina’s attacks.
Nicolás Otamendi (for L Martínez, 72): 7 – Incredible that he is still playing at 38.
Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina, 72): 7 – A massive upgrade on Molina as Argentina chased an equaliser.
Rodrigo De Paul (for Simeone, 72): 8 – Surprise omission but made up for it by helping to change the game.
Lautaro Martínez (for Tagliafico, 81): 8 – Argentina’s hero with a brilliant header.
