Alexis Mac Allister remains on course to become a back-to-back world champion after Argentina produced yet another dramatic late comeback in the World Cup on Wednesday.
Having recovered from 2-0 down in the 78th minute to beat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16, the holders were staring down the barrel of defeat to England in Atlanta as they trailed 1-0 with just over five minutes of normal time remaining.
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However, goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the game on its head and took Lionel Scaloni’s side into the final, in which they’ll face European champions Spain (and new Liverpool winger Victor Munoz) on Sunday.
Mac Allister praised for semi-final performance
Mac Allister – who was twice denied by the woodwork in the latter stages – came in for deserved praise from one reporter in his homeland.
He was given 7/10 by Ernesto Provitilo in his post-match player ratings for TyC Sports, with the reporter observing: ‘Similar to Enzo [Fernandez] on the left, positioned alongside [Leandro] Paredes, he didn’t quite manage to establish the desired partnership with Julián [Alvarez] there.
‘But, like everyone else, he gave his all for every ball and contributed to winning back possession. When Argentina needed the equaliser, he was everywhere, heading the ball, hitting the woodwork. Another champion wanting to be champion again.’
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Mac Allister one win away from a place in football folklore
Like many of his Liverpool teammates, Mac Allister was well below his best in the 2025/26 campaign, but he’s looked much more like his usual self at the World Cup, being lauded for his performances right throughout the tournament.
The midfielder will have been disappointed not to score past Jordan Pickford with a close-range effort and was unlucky to hit the woodwork twice, although he can be quite pleased with his overall contribution on the night, as evidenced below by figures from Sofascore.
| Passes completed | 35/38 (92% success) |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Possession lost | 5 (from 50 touches) |
He’s now just one win away from being part of a historic line-up, with Argentina becoming just the third team in history to retain the World Cup (and the first since 1962) if they defeat Spain on Sunday, and he’ll have been involved in both finals if (as seems highly likely) he starts in New Jersey.
The qualities outlined by Provitilo – the optimum effort to win back possession and the omnipresence as his nation sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit – are traits that Andoni Iraola would absolutely love to see from Mac Allister at Liverpool throughout next season.
The Reds’ number 10 will go down in legend in his home country if they win at the weekend and he plays a starring role in that triumph.
England had just 35 percent possession, Alexis mac allister had the midfield to himself.
I said before the world cup that Thomas Tuchel wasn’t good enough and that the decisions to not include England’s three best technical players would come back to HAUNT him. Arnold, palmer and foden.
Kind of sums up English football , Arsenal tried the Same tactics of parking the bus after scoring against PSG. Tuchel should be sacked, England haven’t improved since southgate,
England v Italy euro final lost on pens. Defensive tactics, not brave enough. 39 percent possession.
England v Spain euro final lost 2-1 defensive tactics not brave enough 37 percent possession.
Until England get a manager who’s brave and gets England keeping the ball better forget about winning anything. Same old story.
Mac Allister never showed that for Liverpool last season.
Sit back and let the rest do the work.
Wonder if he claims to be tired when he reports back ?