Wow wow wow!

England are in front in the World Cup semi finals against Argentina! And it's a brilliant goal.

A long ball drops in midfield, Rice gets it to Spence, who crosses towards Gordon, who has ghosted in front of his defender and scores past Martinez!

England are 35 minutes away from the World Cup final!

We'll call this confidence or the England fans in Benidorm - but they're tempting fate ever so slightly.

There's another caution for Argentina and it's very similar to the first one.

Romero holds Bellingham as he attempts to spin in midfielder - it's a clear yellow card. That's now both centre backs in the book.

That's a worrying start for England as Julian Alvarez twice goes close.

The Atletico Madrid star gets away from Spence and forces a good save from Pickford. Alvarez gets the ball back and lashes towards the near post but his effort hits the side netting.

England think its their ball but the referee gives a corner.

Julian Alvarez threatened against England early on in the second half(Image: Getty Images)

And we're back rolling in Atlanta!

We've got another 45 minutes of this - and potentially a fair bit more.

Penalties could beckon if there is no goal within the next 45 minutes.

This was too tense. Too nervous. And utterly exhausting to watch.

England started so well. On the front foot, Djed Spence led the charge from right back, setting a brilliant tone which others bought into.

I loved Elliot Anderson’s energy, Jude Bellingham was bang up for it and they looked fairly comfortable.

But they created very little - nor did Argentina - and the games almost too tense, too intense and anxious for a pattern to emerge.

Argentina had a purple patch after Declan Rice gave the ball away and then it took four England players - and an Anderson booking - to stop Lionel Messi.

Harry Kane was a worry - he was a virtual passenger who barely got into the game.

It finished all square and it feels, at this stage, impossible to predict who will come out on top.

Harry Kane speaks with the refere(Image: Getty Images)

As the half-time whistle was blown a few players surrounded the referee to have their say on things. Harry Kane, Djed Spence, Lisandro Martinez and, of course, Lionel Messi chief amongst them.

Two others were Enzo Fernandez and Jude Bellingham. And they continued running their mouths at one another as they turned away and headed down the tunnel.

Something to keep an eye on in the second period.

Jude Bellingham of England(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

And that's the end of the first half in Atlanta. Here's John Cross' player ratings:

Jordan Pickford 6

Good long range kicking but was left clutching air at a couple of shots.

Reece James 6

A surprise selection at right back and did not make his crossing opportunities count.

John Stones 7

Rightly rewarded for his heroics against Norway and put in another assured shift.

Marc Guehi 7

His calmness and quality on the ball really settles the defence. Top class.

Djed Spence 7

What a warrior. A surprise pick but he set the tone early on by leading the charge.

Declan Rice 6

Back after recovering from illness. His passing was off key and his mistake let in Messi.

Elliot Anderson 7

Flew into tackles, combative and strong. Another excellent display. Booked for foul on Messi.

Morgan Rogers 6

Got the nod on the right wing over Saka and Madueke, didn’t completely solve the right wing issue.

Jude Bellingham 7

One magical turn to leave Giuliano Simeone on his back side. Bang up for it.

Anthony Gordon 7

Worked hard, ran hard and pressed hard. Passed up one big shooting chance.

Harry Kane 6

Surpassed Wayne Rooney’s caps record for an outfield player. First half passed him by.

Harry Kane is challenged by Cristian Romero(Image: Getty Images)

Three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half and England are ending the better.

Gordon has just picked up the ball outside of the are but tries slightly too much.

And there's the first Argentina booking of the game.

Lisandro Martinez goes in the referee's book after pulling Morgan Rogers' shirt as he attempted to break away.

That was an easy decision for the referee.

It's been a quiet first 40 minutes from Lionel Messi.

But he's starting to have an impact now. England will hope to get to half-time without the former Barcelona man having any more of a say on things.

Lionel Messi during England's clash with Argentina(Image: Getty Images)

That was close for Argentina!

Enzo Fernandez sets his sights from range and the ball whistle over the crossbar. The Chelsea man wants a corner but the referee instead gestures for a goal kick.

That's a warning.

And there's the first booking of the game and it goes to England star Anderson.

The Man City star takes down Lionel Messi after he gets past Kane and Gordon.

The caution comes after a dangerous counter-attack from Argentina. Just under ten minutes of normal time to go in the first half.

This is good from England.

A long free-kick picks out Spence, who nods onto Gordon, but he can't pick out an England colleague.

Spence then does very well to win the ball back, with Bellingham winning another free kick for the Three Lions.

That is why Jude Bellingham is already one of England's best players.

The Real Madrid midfielder picks up the ball on the halfway line, produces a lovely shimmy to lose his marker and charges towards the Argentina defence.

He then gets taken out on the edge of the box and wins a free kick.

John Stones gets free at the back post from the delivery but can't guide his header on target.

And we're back underway.

It's a hairy moment for England as they give the ball away but the ball trundles through to Pickford again.

England have now been bafflingly denied a free kick in the Argentina half - a decision that has left Thomas Tuchel absolutely furious. I can see why.

Thomas Tuchel during England's clash with Argentina(Image: Getty Images)

And the first hydration break has been called by the referee. It's been a relatively even game so far, with chances at a premium but it only seems a matter of time until one of these two sides finds a way through.

What are your thoughts?

Jude Bellingham during England's World Cup clash with Argentina(Image: Getty Images)

Djed Spence attempts to take on Cristian Romero(Image: Getty Images)

The referee, Ismail Elfath, probably knew he was going to be a busy boy tonight.

He certainly has been. Seems there's been something for him to sort out every 2/3 minutes.

US referee Ismail Elfath in the centre of arguments(Image: AFP or licensors)

We knew this was going to be a fiery encounter but not quite this bad.

Just 20 minutes into the game, Atlanta police have already made a series of arrests.

That's a lovely team move from England. Kane drops deep and sweeps the ball out to Rogers, who has James on the overlap.

The Chelsea defender gets a low ball into the box but Martinez collects.

Lisandro Martinez and Jude Bellingham(Image: Getty Images)

Elliot Anderson has been at the heart of a few battles already.

Argentina weren't happy with a little nudge he gave Messi, and a few have responded by leaving one on him. Enzo Fernandez, Simeone. Paredes. Even Julian Alvarez has chucked a two handed shove in the back his way.

It's going to be a mental and physical test for Anderson tonight it seems. He can't get sucked in.

Elliot Anderson in the thick of things early doors

The game is slightly starting to open up now.

Anthony Gordon finds space down the left and tries to cut inside but gets crowded out.

Argentina go up the other end but the cross is overcooked.

It's fair to say that this man has been at the centre of things so far...

Jude Bellingham speaks with the referee vs Argentina(Image: Getty Images)

We're ten minutes into the World Cup semi-final finals and it's been relatively even.

Each side have won a few free kicks in the opening stages but as of yet, no real chances created.

It's crystal clear here already. This is going to be a war.

No-one giving anyone an inch.

Players leaving ones on opponents late.

Squabbles and mind-games all over the place.

It's not the purists idea of a football match. But for lovers of s***-housery, this is going to have it all.

Here we go!(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

And that is exactly why Morgan Rogers is in the side.

He receives the ball on the right, faces up his defender and wins a corner.

Declan Rice takes but Argentina clear, with the South American side winning a free kick for a high foot from Marc Guehi.

Argentina fans are out in force and in full voice. Every time Lionel Messi is pictured on screen there are huge cheers.

By contrast, Jude Bellingham was heavily booed, as was England’s national anthem. It’s feisty already.

It's only taken three minutes for both sides to come to blows.

Enzo Fernandez crunches in on Elliot Anderson, while Messi is then left unhappy by a challenge.

There's handbags but nothing particularly dramatic.

This one is simmering already.

Just a minute into the game and Argentina have not had a touch of the ball as Bellingham wins a free kick.

They've not created anything yet but the pattern of the game appears to be set already.