Argentina’s press believes Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson control the supply line that makes England dangerous—and shutting them down could decide Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.
Argentina have been warned that stopping Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham alone will not be enough to defeat England in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
While Kane and Bellingham have dominated the headlines with their goals, Argentine newspaper Clarín has identified Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson as the two players Lionel Scaloni’s side must prevent from controlling the contest.
The publication described England’s central-midfield partnership as the foundation of Thomas Tuchel’s system and argued that disrupting it could be Argentina’s clearest route to Sunday’s final against Spain.
Why Rice is crucial
Rice provides England with protection, structure and direction from deep positions.
The Arsenal midfielder shields the central defenders, covers spaces abandoned when England’s full-backs move forward and helps determine the direction of the team’s build-up.
His defensive awareness also allows Bellingham and England’s wide attackers to take greater risks further up the pitch.
Rice has recovered from the illness that affected his involvement against Norway and has been declared fit to start the semi-final.
Anderson connects England’s attack
Anderson has emerged as an equally important part of England’s midfield.
His constant movement creates passing options for defenders, while his ability to receive the ball, turn under pressure and quickly recycle possession helps England advance through the centre.
The Argentine analysis suggests Anderson’s influence can be reduced if he is denied the opportunity to receive possession while facing forward.
Rather than concentrating entirely on Kane and Bellingham, Argentina could instruct Julian Alvarez to begin the press against England’s defenders before Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez or Alexis Mac Allister closes down Rice and Anderson.
Messi could then occupy a freer position, either blocking England’s backward passing option or moving into the space behind the two midfielders when Argentina regain possession.
Argentina warned about dangerous turnovers
The report also identified central turnovers as a major danger for the defending champions.
England can quickly transform a midfield interception into a direct attack involving Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka or Bellingham.
Argentina have therefore been urged to protect the middle of the pitch, avoid careless losses of possession and force England into slower attacks from wider positions.
The theory is that Tuchel’s side become easier to contain when denied the opportunity to attack at speed through central areas.
However, the tactical assessment comes from the Argentine media—not from Scaloni or Argentina’s coaching staff—and there is no confirmation that the champions will adopt the proposed approach.
England enter the contest seeking their first World Cup final appearance since 1966. Argentina, meanwhile, are attempting to reach a second consecutive final and successfully defend the title they won in Qatar.
Spain await the winners after eliminating France 2-0 in the opening semi-final.
