As England prepare for a blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Argentina, much of the attention has naturally focused on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Between them, the pair have carried Thomas Tuchel’s side through the knockout stages, combining for 12 goals and producing decisive moments when England have needed them most.
However, according to reports emerging from Argentina, the reigning world champions are planning a different approach.
Rather than concentrating solely on stopping Kane or Bellingham, sections of the Argentine media believe that the key to beating England lies elsewhere. Their focus has reportedly shifted to Declan Rice, with one prominent tactical analysis arguing that disrupting the Arsenal midfielder could significantly reduce England’s attacking threat.
With a place in the World Cup final at stake, Argentina appear to believe that controlling the midfield battle will be more important than attempting to mark England’s biggest stars out of the game.
Argentina eye another World Cup final
Lionel Scaloni’s side head into the semi-final aiming to reach consecutive World Cup finals after lifting the trophy in Qatar four years earlier.
England, meanwhile, are chasing their first World Cup final appearance since their historic triumph in 1966.
The Three Lions have reached the last four after overcoming DR Congo, Mexico and Norway, with Jude Bellingham once again proving decisive by scoring twice in the quarter-final victory over Norway.
Argentina have also navigated a difficult knockout route, setting up what many consider the biggest match of the tournament so far.
While supporters have focused on stopping Bellingham and Kane, one Argentine journalist believes the decisive battle will actually take place much deeper on the pitch.
Declan Rice identified as England’s crucial player
In a detailed tactical analysis published by Argentine outlet TyC Sports, journalist Bruno Distefano explained why Declan Rice should become Argentina’s primary target.
Rather than attempting to isolate England’s forwards, Distefano argues that putting Rice under constant pressure would disrupt the entire structure of Tuchel’s team.
According to the analysis, England struggle to build attacks cleanly whenever Rice receives possession under pressure.
The report claims that forcing the midfielder to play backwards or rush his distribution removes England’s ability to progress through midfield, leaving them increasingly reliant on direct passes toward Harry Kane.
While Kane remains capable of winning aerial duels, the journalist argues that England lose much of their attacking fluency when they are forced into a more direct style.
The tactical conclusion is straightforward: stop Rice, and England become far easier to defend against.
Why Rice is so important to England
Although Bellingham has received most of the headlines, Rice has quietly become one of England’s most influential performers throughout the tournament.
Operating as the team’s deepest midfielder, he provides the platform for England’s attacks while also protecting the defence.
His ability to receive the ball under pressure, switch play quickly and break opposition pressing lines has allowed Bellingham greater freedom to influence matches further forward.
When Rice controls possession comfortably, England are able to dictate the tempo and move opponents around.
If opponents prevent him from settling, England often become more predictable.
That appears to be exactly what Argentina intend to exploit.
The link between Rice, Kane and Bellingham
The Argentine analysis also explains how England’s attacking system depends on Rice’s distribution.
When Rice progresses possession effectively, Bellingham is able to receive the ball facing forward, allowing him to drive directly at defenders or arrive late in the penalty area.
Likewise, Kane benefits from receiving passes into feet rather than constantly competing for long balls.
According to the report, disrupting Rice would limit both players simultaneously.
Instead of focusing on individually marking Kane or Bellingham, Argentina believe preventing quality service reaching them could prove even more effective.
It represents a collective defensive strategy rather than relying on individual battles.
Argentina also highlight England’s slow starts
Rice is not the only area identified by Argentine analysts.
The TyC Sports report also suggests England have consistently started matches slowly throughout the World Cup.
Against several opponents, Tuchel’s side have required time to settle before gradually taking control.
Norway managed to score first in the quarter-final, while Mexico also caused England problems before eventually being eliminated.
Argentina believe an aggressive opening could expose those vulnerabilities once again.
The report argues that scoring early would force England away from the patient style of football Tuchel prefers and potentially create spaces as they chase the game.
Exploiting the wide areas
Another tactical point raised involves Argentina’s attacking width.
The report suggests the movement of the Argentine forwards, combined with attacking full-backs Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico, could overload England’s defensive flanks.
England have frequently relied on their full-backs pushing forward during the tournament, leaving space behind them when possession is lost.
Argentina believe quick transitions into those areas could create opportunities before England reorganise defensively.
Whether Scaloni adopts such an aggressive approach remains to be seen, but the analysis suggests Argentina are preparing to attack England from multiple angles rather than simply attempting to dominate possession.
Fatigue could become another factor
The report also highlights England’s physical workload.
Unlike Argentina, England have played extra time during the knockout rounds, most recently against Norway in sweltering Miami conditions.
Several England players, including Jude Bellingham, Marc Guehi and Reece James, showed visible signs of fatigue by the end of the quarter-final.
Declan Rice himself was substituted after struggling with illness before the match.
Argentina may therefore attempt to increase the tempo early, hoping England’s accumulated minutes eventually take their toll.
Managing energy levels could become one of Tuchel’s biggest challenges.
Kane and Bellingham remain England’s biggest threats
Despite focusing heavily on Rice, the Argentine report certainly does not underestimate England’s two headline stars.
Bellingham is described as a complete game-changer whose intelligent movement makes him extremely difficult to track.
Rather than occupying a fixed position, the Real Madrid midfielder frequently arrives into dangerous areas from deeper positions, timing his runs perfectly to exploit space created by Kane.
His six goals at the tournament demonstrate how devastating that movement has become.
Kane, meanwhile, continues to receive enormous respect.
The report notes that although England’s captain is renowned for his finishing, his importance now extends well beyond goals.
By dropping into deeper positions, Kane attracts central defenders, links midfield with attack and creates room for runners like Bellingham and Bukayo Saka to attack central spaces.
Stopping Kane is therefore about much more than preventing him from scoring.
Tuchel’s response
Thomas Tuchel will almost certainly expect Argentina to target Rice.
Throughout the tournament, the England manager has repeatedly emphasised the importance of controlling midfield battles against elite opposition.
Should Rice come under heavy pressure, Tuchel has several possible adjustments available.
England could ask Bellingham to drop deeper during build-up phases, allowing Rice greater freedom.
Alternatively, defenders John Stones and Marc Guehi may look to carry possession further forward themselves before finding midfielders between Argentina’s pressing lines.
England may also attempt to bypass pressure entirely by using quicker combinations involving Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka or Morgan Rogers in wider areas.
The tactical battle promises to be fascinating.
A midfield battle that could decide the semi-final
While supporters understandably focus on stars like Kane, Bellingham and Lionel Messi, World Cup knockout matches are often decided by far subtler contests.
Argentina’s apparent decision to prioritise Declan Rice reflects just how highly they value his influence over England’s style of play.
If Rice can dictate possession, England’s attacking stars will likely receive the service they need to create chances.
If Argentina succeed in disrupting him, Tuchel’s side may struggle to establish rhythm against one of the world’s strongest international teams.
With both nations possessing world-class talent throughout their squads, the duel in central midfield could ultimately determine who books a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
England will hope Rice once again proves why he has become one of the most reliable holding midfielders in international football, while Argentina will arrive believing that limiting his influence could be the quickest route to another appearance on football’s biggest stage.
