5 Argentina Stars England MUST Watch Out For
England are gearing up to take on Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina have some excellent attacking players – but who are they exactly?
Today, we’ll highlight five players who could make the difference for La Albiceleste. With 17 goals in six games, they are the highest-scoring team at the tournament, scoring four more goals than England.
On top of this, they have also created the best chances. No other team has been able to exceed their xG rating of 13.9 up to this point. Furthermore, they have conceded the same amount of goals as England have, with both letting six in.
As such, Argentina’s attacking threat must be understood and respected by the Three Lions in the semi-finals. Who will they need to keep an eye on?
Julian Alvarez
One of the best strikers in the world, Julian Alvarez hasn’t been at his best at the World Cup. Perhaps he is saving it all for the game against England?
Despite having played in all six of Argentina’s games at the tournament, the former Manchester City star only has one goal to his name as of yet.
Nevertheless, Alvarez’s talents cannot be denied. He was an absolute menace in the Champions League last season, scoring ten goals in 15 games. According to TEAMtalk, he could return to the Premier League soon, as a move to Arsenal may be on the cards.
Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez is Argentina’s second-highest goalscorer at the World Cup. Yet, he only has two goals so far. One wonders where all those goals have been coming from (or not).
Jokes aside, Martinez is a lethal striker and is a real throwback in many ways. An excellent poacher, his movement inside the box is top-notch, as is his finishing.
One might argue that is now an Inter Milan legend, having been at the club for eight years and scoring over 100 league goals along the way. Last season, he scored 17 goals in 30 Serie A outings.
Enzo Fernandez
On his day, Enzo Fernandez is one of the best midfielders in the world. A technical master with an acute eye for goal, he will be a massive loss if he leaves Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
He has only scored one goal at the World Cup so far, but it was perhaps Argentina’s most important, when he netted the winner in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the last 16.
Chelsea might have endured a tough campaign in the Premier League, but Fernandez did well on an individual level, scoring ten goals from midfield and notching up four assists.
Alexis Mac Allister
Like Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister also suffered a tough season at club level with Liverpool, but his overall talents cannot be denied.
An electric dynamo who likes to burst into the box and score goals, he has netted one goal and has notched up a single assist for Argentina at the World Cup so far.
He will be crucial in their efforts against England. Providing their midfield with energy, he will be paramount in what should be a fearsome midfield battle.
Lionel Messi
We saved the best until last. Is Lionel Messi still the best footballer on the planet? His statistics at the 2026 World Cup so far would certainly suggest so.
With eight goals in six games, he is the tournament’s joint-top goalscorer, alongside Kylian Mbappe. On top of this, with 21 in all, he is now the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Messi might well be the greatest footballer of all time. Likewise, he is also England’s biggest threat on Wednesday evening. Thomas Tuchel must find a way to contain him – if he can.
