England faced off against Argentina in a gripping World Cup semi-final on December 13, 2023, with the match ending 1-2 in favor of the South Americans. Player ratings reflect the fierce competition and pivotal moments that defined the game.

England (4-2-3-1)

• Jordan Pickford: Had little chance with either goal but made a sensational save from González, earning a rating of 7.
• Reece James: Dominated his flank, justifying his return from injury with a solid 7.
• John Stones: A reliable presence until the last 10 minutes, rating 7.
• Marc Guéhi: Consistently dependable, unlucky to be on the losing side, rated 7.
• Djed Spence: Stole the show with an impressive performance and a Bobby Moore-esque tackle, rated 8.
• Elliot Anderson: Booked for a foul on Messi but showcased his all-action style, scoring 7.
• Declan Rice: Showed improvement but was substituted to protect a lead, rated 6.
• Morgan Rogers: Excelled in an unusual role, assisting Gordon's goal, rated 7.
• Jude Bellingham: Fired up early but struggled to make a lasting impact, rated 6.
• Anthony Gordon: Scored in the semi-final, marking his coming of age, rated 8.
• Harry Kane: Provided a key assist but disappointed in overall impact, rated 5.

Substitutes:

• Ezri Konsa: Subbed for Gordon, at fault for Martínez’s equalizer, rated 5.
• Dan Burn: Came on late, unable to change the outcome, rated 5.
• Nico O’Reilly: Could not prevent Messi’s crucial assist, rated 6.
• Ivan Toney & Marcus Rashford: Too late to influence the match, both rated 6.

Argentina (4-3-3)

• Emiliano Martínez: Mostly a spectator but had no chance with the goal, rated 6.
• Nahuel Molina: Struggled defensively, rated 6.
• Cristian Romero: Showed impressive footwork and defensive skill, rated 8.
• Lisandro Martínez: Walked a fine line after a booking, rated 7.
• Nicolas Tagliafico: Contributed to England's goal through an error, rated 5.
• Leandro Paredes: Failed to dominate midfield as usual, rated 5.
• Enzo Fernández: Scored a stunning equalizer, rated 8.
• Alexis Mac Allister: Unlucky not to score, hitting both posts, rated 8.
• Giuliani Simeone: Active but ineffective when it mattered, rated 6.
• Lionel Messi: Displayed brilliance throughout, deserving of a 9.
• Julián Álvarez: Caused significant problems for England, rated 8.

This match showcased the intense competition and the individual brilliance of players, particularly Lionel Messi, whose performance will be remembered as a highlight of his illustrious career.