Argentina’s build-up to the World Cup semi-final against England has taken a tactical turn, with media in Buenos Aires looking beyond the obvious headlines around Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. While those two have carried much of the spotlight during England’s run, Argentine analysis has focused on two quieter figures who could decide the rhythm of Wednesday night’s clash in Atlanta: Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson.
Declan Rice (left) and Elliot Anderson have been earmarked as two key players Argentina must stop if they are to beat England in the World Cup semi-final by the Argentine press
Argentina’s Clarin warn that their side must stop the midfield duo recieving the bal forwards
Alexis Mac Allister (centre left) has been urged to press the England midfielders on Wednesday
England enter the semi-final with momentum, belief and a front line that has found goals at crucial moments. Bellingham and Kane have rightly dominated the conversation after contributing the vast majority of England’s goals at the tournament, including Bellingham’s dramatic double in the extra-time win over Norway. Yet Argentina know that stopping England is not only about marking the scorers. It is also about cutting off the structure that allows those players to attack.
That is why Rice has become such an important name in the Argentine press. The Arsenal midfielder is seen as the balance point of Thomas Tuchel’s side, the player who protects the defence, covers full-backs when they push forward and helps England move the ball out from deeper areas. If he is allowed to receive possession facing forward, England can turn defence into controlled pressure very quickly.
Anderson has also been singled out as a major tactical concern. The Manchester City midfielder has not received the same global attention as Bellingham or Kane, but his role in connecting England’s phases has clearly been noticed. He offers passing angles, moves again after releasing the ball and gives England a second midfield outlet when opponents try to crowd Rice. For Argentina, allowing Rice and Anderson to dictate tempo could be dangerous.
The proposed Argentine plan is clear enough: press the centre-backs, but do not stop there. Lionel Scaloni’s side are expected to work aggressively on England’s double midfield base, with players such as Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister likely to be asked to close the spaces quickly. Julian Alvarez can lead the first line of pressure, while Lionel Messi may be used more freely to block passing lanes or wait for moments to receive the ball behind England’s midfield.
That battle could become one of the most important tactical stories of the night. England are at their most dangerous when they win possession centrally and immediately release runners into space. A loose pass in midfield can quickly become Anthony Gordon racing down one side, Bukayo Saka making a diagonal run from the other, or Bellingham driving through the middle. Argentina will want to stop those transitions before they begin.
For Tuchel, the challenge is just as clear. England cannot afford to become predictable or static against a side as experienced as Argentina. If Rice and Anderson are pressed tightly, the centre-backs must be brave with their passing, the full-backs must offer clean outlets and Bellingham may need to drop at the right moments to create overloads. England’s strength has been their ability to win in different ways, but the semi-final may test their composure more than any game so far.
The focus on Rice is especially interesting because there have already been questions about his condition after he was affected by illness during the quarter-final. If he starts, Argentina may try to test him physically and mentally from the first whistle. If he is not fully sharp, England’s build-up could suffer. If he is fit and dominant, he could give England the platform they need to attack Messi’s side with control rather than chaos.
Anderson’s rise adds another intriguing layer. In a match filled with superstars, he may not be the name casual viewers are watching first. But Argentina’s analysis suggests they understand his influence. Semi-finals are often decided not only by the biggest names, but by the players who quietly make everything function.
England and Argentina carry decades of World Cup history into this fixture, but the modern tactical battle may be just as fierce as the emotional one. Kane and Bellingham will still be the headline threats. Messi remains the defining figure for Argentina. But if the South Americans are right, the key to the final may run through Rice and Anderson long before the ball reaches the penalty area.
By identifying England’s midfield base as the area to attack, Argentina have revealed the respect they have for Tuchel’s structure. Now the question is whether Rice and Anderson can survive that pressure, keep England moving and give their stars the service they need on the biggest night of the tournament.
