England Formation 4-2-3-1
Jordan Pickford had little chance of stopping either goal, though he did make a sensational save from González that may be overlooked. Solidifying his performance, he earned a score of 7.
Reece James made a triumphant return from injury, dominating the right flank and showcasing his talents effectively, also receiving a 7.
John Stones struggled for form, fading as the match progressed and ultimately substituting out ten minutes from the end. His performance rated a 7.
Marc Gehi, known for his reliability, maintained composure throughout the match, yet found himself on the losing side, meriting a score of 7.
Jed Spence impressed skeptics with a standout performance, including a pivotal tackle reminiscent of Bobby Moore’s best, earning him an 8.
Elliott Anderson delivered another vigorous display, exhibiting his competitive nature, though he received a warning for a robust challenge on Messi. His efforts were recognized with a score of 7.
Declan Rice began to resemble his usual impactful self, but was substituted as England aimed to hold onto their lead, resulting in a score of 6.
Morgan Rogers filled an atypical role on the right wing, justifying his selection by providing a brilliant assist for Gordon, earning a 7.
Jude Bellingham showed enthusiasm from the first whistle but was unable to prevent late anxiety for England, scoring 6 for his performance.
Anthony Gordon matured during the tournament, leaving a lasting impression by scoring in the World Cup semi-finals. He deservedly received an 8.
Harry Kane played a crucial role in setting up England’s goal with a long pass but will be disappointed with his overall impact, earning a score of 5.
Substitutions included Ezri Konsa, who replaced Gordon but was deemed responsible for Martinez’s equalizer, garnering a score of 5. Dan Byrne, brought in for James, struggled to make a notable impact, also scoring 5. Nico O’Reilly, who came on for Rice, failed to prevent Messi’s decisive cross, earning a 6. Ivan Toney, introduced late for Stones, lacked the necessary pace to influence the match, also scoring 6. Marcus Rashford, who stepped in for Spence, put forth an effort to level the score but rated a 6 for his overall contribution.
Argentina Formation 4-3-3
Emiliano Martinez had little chance against Gordon’s well-placed shot but otherwise had a largely uneventful match, scoring a 6.
Nahuel Molina faced challenges containing the dynamic duo of Spence and Gordon on England’s left flank, resulting in a score of 6.
Cristian Romero was quick to counter Bellingham’s advances early on, demonstrating impressive footwork and earning a score of 8.
Lisandro Martínez navigated a precarious situation with a yellow card in the first half, culminating in a red card, rating him a 7.
Nicolas Tagliafico struggled against Rogers but was ultimately culpable in Gordon’s scoring opportunity, for which he received a score of 5.
Leandro Paredes attempted to dominate the midfield, though an early foul set the tone for his performance, which rated a 5.
Enzo Fernandes almost secured a memorable goal in the first half and later struck a stunning equalizer that significantly impacted the match, deserving an 8.
Alexis Mac Allister showed a remarkable performance, unlucky not to score, and returned to form, also earning an 8.
Giuliani Simeone contributed to the team’s cohesive play but struggled to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities, earning a 6.
Lionel Messi demonstrated his unique talent, showing touches that defy age and enhancing the team’s presence on the pitch, scoring a remarkable 9.
Julián Álvarez proved troublesome for the England defense all afternoon, signaling a bright future for the Argentine national team as Messi’s successor, earning an 8.
Upon substitutions, Nicolás González replaced Paredes and was pivotal in shifting momentum for Argentina, deserving an 8. Nicolás Otamendi, at 38, showcased resilience, rated a 7. Gonzalo Montiel, who took over for Molina, offered a much-needed upgrade, also rating 7 as Argentina sought an equalizer. Rodrigo de Paul, who replaced Simeone, made a surprising impact, helping to change the course of the match with an 8. Finally, Lautaro Martínez, who came on for Tagliafico, delivered a thrilling header that proved crucial, scoring an 8.
