Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina as the Barcelona star finished off Morgan Rogers’ brilliant cross
Anthony Gordon has given England the lead over Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
The Three Lions took the lead in the 55th minute when Thomas Tuchel’s surprise selection Morgan Rogers picked out a brilliant cross. Tuchel selected Rogers on the right over Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke and his backing of the Aston Villa star paid off.
A cagey game finally got it’s sparking moment when the ball broke for England to counter attack, good play wide from Rogers allowed him the space to whip the ball across the face of goal where Gordon had snuck in behind Nicolas Tagilafico at the back post to tap into the bottom corner.
Speaking on BBC commentary from Atlanta, Alan Shearer said: “That’s what we’ve been wanting. That’s what we’ve been waiting for. Ball out wide, cross it, no nonsense.
“Gordon beats the defender to it, and he just has to beat the keeper. He guides it in perfectly.”
While ex-Three Lions goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “An unlikely hero in Anthony Gordon pops up at the back post to the delight of the England fans.
“Tagliafico tries to clear it but finds Declan Rice. Morgan Rogers plays the most sublime ball into Gordon and it’s begging him to tap it in and he obliges.
“It was not an easy finish. He timed his run. Excellent play all round from England.”
Wayne Rooney added: “It was a brilliant ball in from Morgan Rogers, and credit to Anthony Gordon for getting on the end of it.
“England need to dig in now and see it out – they just have to keep up this level of intensity.”
Moments after England took the lead, Djed Spence was called into action running back towards his own goal when he put in a perfect last ditch tackle to thwart Julian Alvarez.
On Spence’s tackle, Shearer said: “Just watch Spence’s reaction. That is just as important as what just happened at the other end. What a game he is having.”