Argentina and England meet in a World Cup semifinal, with kickoff scheduled for July 15, 2026 at 19:00 UTC, which is July 16 at 04:00 in Korea.
This article uses the same simple framework as our France vs Spain preview: it compares each expected starter’s recent scoring rate over the last 12 months.
The number is not a promise that a player will score in this match. It is a recent scoring frequency: goals divided by appearances.
Method
The predicted starting lineups come from FotMob’s England vs Argentina match page before kickoff. FotMob lists England in a 4-2-3-1 and Argentina in a 4-1-3-2.
The scoring data comes from FotMob player recent-match data, filtered to played matches from July 15, 2025 through July 15, 2026.
Formula: recent scoring rate = goals / appearances × 100.
Argentina predicted lineup and scoring rate
| Position | Player | Appearances | Goals | Scoring rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Emiliano Martínez | 60 | 0 | 0.0% |
| RB | Nahuel Molina | 57 | 2 | 3.5% |
| CB | Cristian Romero | 49 | 7 | 14.3% |
| CB | Lisandro Martínez | 26 | 1 | 3.8% |
| LB | Nicolás Tagliafico | 41 | 0 | 0.0% |
| DM | Leandro Paredes | 48 | 4 | 8.3% |
| RW | Rodrigo De Paul | 55 | 6 | 10.9% |
| AM | Enzo Fernández | 65 | 17 | 26.2% |
| LW | Alexis Mac Allister | 69 | 8 | 11.6% |
| ST | Lionel Messi | 53 | 48 | 90.6% |
| ST | Julián Álvarez | 62 | 23 | 37.1% |
England predicted lineup and scoring rate
| Position | Player | Appearances | Goals | Scoring rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Jordan Pickford | 56 | 0 | 0.0% |
| RB | Ezri Konsa | 64 | 3 | 4.7% |
| CB | John Stones | 29 | 0 | 0.0% |
| CB | Marc Guéhi | 66 | 6 | 9.1% |
| LB | Nico O’Reilly | 64 | 9 | 14.1% |
| DM | Declan Rice | 66 | 7 | 10.6% |
| DM | Elliot Anderson | 69 | 4 | 5.8% |
| RW | Bukayo Saka | 65 | 15 | 23.1% |
| AM | Jude Bellingham | 50 | 14 | 28.0% |
| LW | Anthony Gordon | 63 | 19 | 30.2% |
| ST | Harry Kane | 67 | 74 | 110.4% |
What the numbers suggest
For Argentina, Lionel Messi has the highest recent scoring rate among the predicted starters, with 48 goals in 53 appearances. Julián Álvarez also stands out as a strong forward profile, while Enzo Fernández adds notable scoring output from midfield.
For England, Harry Kane is the clear top scorer in the sample, with 74 goals in 67 appearances. Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka also show meaningful attacking production behind him.
Defenders and goalkeepers naturally show lower scoring rates. That does not make them less important to the match; it simply reflects their usual role and attacking involvement.
Important context
A recent scoring rate is different from a single-match prediction. Set pieces, penalties, substitutions, tactical role, injuries, match tempo and opponent strategy can all change what happens in one game.
Use these numbers as a simple comparison of recent scoring frequency, not as betting advice or a guaranteed forecast.
Conclusion
Argentina vs England brings together several high-output attacking players. Based on the last 12 months of recent-match data, Messi, Álvarez, Kane, Gordon, Bellingham and Saka are the predicted starters with the strongest scoring profiles.
This article is for general sports analysis and information only. It is not betting advice, gambling advice or a guarantee of any match outcome.