How Argentina gained a foothold after England's start
In the first half, England looked to press Argentina high.
Wingers Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers were tasked with pressing the two Argentina central defenders – angling their body in a way that made finding the full-backs harder for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and his centre-backs, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.
For Argentina, it felt like the simpler passes were on through the middle of the pitch, but in playing these they fell into England's trap early on.
Rogers and Gordon pressed to prevent Martinez finding his full-backs. Harry Kane and the midfielders took a more man-to-man approach centrally. Martinez went long from this situation.
Jude Bellingham was positioned deeper than Argentina might have expected. Rather than leading the press, he was being asked to pay close attention to Enzo Fernandez. Declan Rice did the same with Alexis Mac Allister and Elliot Anderson found himself paired up to Messi.
England wanted to physically bully Argentina when the World Cup holders tried to play their famously central-focused football.
The England midfield trio, showing energy early on, did well to stifle Argentina. Anderson in particular was snappy, early to his duels, smothering Messi well.
In the 10th minute, Anderson intercepts a pass intended for Lionel Messi. This front-footedness and anticipation was seen throughout the first half.
But Messi, like Fernandez and Mac Allister, began to grow into the game.