​England vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Thomas Tuchel, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Lionel Messi and Argentina were five minutes from exiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the defending champions were seemingly on their way out thanks to Anthony Gordon’s early second-half goal.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was then that England fell on their own sword, allowing the greatest player of all time to pin them back, and Messi did what he does best by assisting two goals in a thrilling, all-time comeback to win 2-1 and advance to the World Cup final.Messi assisted goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, as the former delivered a long-range bolt of lightning and the latter came off the bench to win the game.It was a disastrous capitulation from Thomas Tuchel and England, who went into a shell far too early and invited pressure onto themselves. Messi took advantage, as Argentina steeled their resolve and delivered late.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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE:Minute-by-minute recap of England vs. Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinalLocation: 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 (Burn, 82′), 5. J. Stones (Toney, 90′), 6. M. Guehi, 25. D. Spence (Rashford, 90′) — 4. D. Rice (O’Reilly, 82′), 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon (Konsa, 72′) — 9. H. Kane.Argentina starting lineup:4-4-2, right to left: 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina (Montiel, 72′), 13. C. Romero, 6. La. Martinez (Otamendi, 72′), 3. N. Tagliafico (La. Martinez, 81′) — 17. G. Simeone (De Paul, 72′), 20. A. Mac Allister, 5. L. Paredes (N. Gonzalez, 64′), 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll ratings are on a 10-point scale.Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford — 6Didn’t have a single save to make in the first half, as Argentina had no interest in testing the goalkeeper. His distribution was solid, keeping his side out of danger amidst a slight press.Started the second half with a great save on Julian Alvarez at his near post. Made an outlandish save in the 69th minute as he prevented a header by Nico Gonzalez from finding the back of the net.Watch in USA:Should have come for the Messi cross that saw Lautaro Martinez score the game-winner.Right-back: Reece James — 6Did well getting forward, knowing he didn’t have lots of width to deal with from Argentina. It was difficult, though, with Morgan Rogers contributing very little. Completed 17 of his 18 first-half passes, even while spending most of his time on the ball in the attacking half.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdverti