Player Ratings: Bellingham fails to find groove, Messi delivers again
Argentina's Lionel Messi (centre) battles for the ball with England's Djed Spence (left) and Marc Guehi. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Idle for most of the game until called upon around the hour mark. His save from Alexis Mac Allister seemed routine but from point-blank range in the white heat of battle, many a predecessor has buckled. Couldn’t be blamed for either of the late goals.
The surprise inclusion after his injury problems proved more beneficial in attack than defence and his legs eventually caught up with him. A neat overlap early on promised much from the veteran but he was left gesticulating when the winner went in.
Had his hands full all night up against the silky skills but offered little in terms of linking the play or providing a threat from set-pieces. One clearance roused the home defence and he’s one of the cohort to emerge from his World Cup with his place intact.
Vindicated Tuchel’s faith in his selection by being a tower of strength at the back, relentlessly clearing crosses into the box with superb regularity. That was until the 32-year-old switched off momentarily in stoppage time to allow Lautaro Martinez slip in to head home the winners.
Another of Tuchel’s favourites was faring nicely until all went pear-shaped in the latter stages. His early nutmeg on 17 minutes showed he was worthy of the big stage, as was his slide tackle on Giovanni Simeone around the hour, but the defensive assessment didn’t fall kindly on him.
Clearly the illness which has dogged him played a part on his quietness in the first half but he finally came alive approaching the break when poking a toe to stifle Lionel Messi. He needed more than that to be spoken of in the exalted company his reputation warrants.
There’s nothing he can do about the expensive fee Manchester City shelled out for the midfielder but he was subdued once a booking was incurred for felling Messi on 20 minutes. Glimpses of his talent weren’t sufficient to fortify the hype.
Another inclusion that raised eyebrows but despite his inexperience showed enough to be deemed someone capable of being part of England’s pursuit of ending, now, 64 years of hurt. The winger’s cross for the opener was his highpoint of an impressive shift.
England’s big-time player never got into his groove, seemingly obsessed with dropping deeper than his position to thwart the threat of Messi. His dangerous ploy of dropping between the lines, that he was so potent in during the previous rounds, never came to pass and he’ll regret some of his passing choices when there was better options.
Barcelona’s latest capture thought he was the match-winner with his opportunistic opener early in the second half and, at time, he tormented the Argentinians. Eventually, the sussed his trademark cut inside and smothered his threat as the game entered business end.
Will this be the last time Kane is seen in an English shirt? Although the occasion marked his elevation to England’s second highest cap holder, on 121 appearances, behind Peter Shilton, chances to swell his haul were scarce. Cannot be blamed for England’s exit in this case.
He may be perplexed at Manchester United shunning his capture but the goalkeeper is preparing for his second successive World Cup final, without being overly troubled. A free-kick on 36 minutes required him to bat away but he was helpless for Gordon’s close-range opener. Dealing with only two shots on target helped.
For all the raiding runs he embarked on, the Atlético Madrid full-back will be remembered in this semi-final for snoozing while Gordon eluded his marker to provide a goal that threatened to settle the contest. The 28-year-old will need to be better against the Spanish.
Tottenham’s shaky centre-back led from the back, recovering from a booking early in the second half to stand firm in the face of the English armoury. He was in the thick of the action thereafter, barracking the American referee at times, and that degree of gamesmanship belatedly told.
The Manchester United centre-back took one for the team by ceding a booking for hauling down Morgan Rogers as he broke from his own half. Played the game more in his head than body before making way with 18 minutes remaining.
The left-back set the tone early with the cruncher on Morgan Rogers and held his own as England’s overloaded the right side through the Aston Villa flanker. Didn’t mind being sacrificed with nine minutes left for the eventual matchwinner.
The consummate holding midfielder managed with being outnumbered in the engine-room, bringing his nous to bear with a series of vital interceptions. That the Boca Juniors midfielder was called ashore just past the hour was no sleight on his role as Lionel Scaloni needed a change of direction.
Like father, like son as the Atletico winger made his presence felt by embracing the feisty nature of the historical battle. Lacked precision at times but had the English rattled.
Conjured their first real chance with a long range shot that cleared Pickford’s crossbar and despite another veering off target, his third attempt was sumptuous to find the net for the equaliser. Quality eventually rose to the top.
Will rue not testing the goalkeeper when presented with a clear sight of goal when trailing but did more than enough to justify his pivotal role in the comeback.
Despite drifting out of the game, his repertoire in the final third seemed to have the English spooked. Should have scored early in the second half when sent clear but played his part in a comeback for the ages.
Many stars comprise a galaxy but some shine brightest. All sorts of epithets were being written about the 39-year-old until he sprung to life after a man-marking mission by the English. His cross for the winner, with his weaker right foot, was worth the admission alone for the natives who invested their life savings in the exhibition.
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