England and Argentina meet tonight in the World Cup 2026 second semifinal, and the focus is locked on Harry Kane and Lionel Messi. Spain is already in the final on Sunday, waiting for the winner. With six matches each, we have a clean sample to compare. Using Sofascore’s event data, here is how the two stars stack up this tournament.

Form guide: Sofascore Rating tells a story

Sofascore Rating sums up contribution on a 10-point scale, where 10 is perfect. Messi sits at 9.18 across six games, which is elite territory. Kane’s mark is 7.38, strong but a clear step behind in overall influence. The gap highlights different workloads and impact styles in this run. It also signals where each team’s rhythm has come from.

Ratings do not pick favorites by themselves, but they track repeatable value. Messi’s number reflects heavy creative and scoring input in the same matches. Kane’s figure leans more toward finishing and penalty-box work. Both are reliable references for form heading into a knockout game on this stage.

<iframe id="sofa-player-embed-12994" src="https://widgets.sofascore.com/embed/player/12994?widgetTheme=light&footballStatComponent=all" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width:100%!important;
  height:568px!important;max-width:730px!important;"></iframe><div style="font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:left">
  

Goals, assists and minutes: how they deliver

End product sets the tone. Messi leads with 8 goals and 2 assists, giving him 10 direct goal contributions. Kane has 6 goals and 1 assist, totaling 7 goal contributions. That is a clear edge in volume for the Argentina captain. It has arrived with less time needed between strikes.

Messi averages a goal every 66 minutes, a rapid clip. Kane’s minutes per goal stand at 94, which is still strong but less frequent. Touches per goal add a twist. Kane needs only 27.2 touches to find a goal, while Messi needs 53.8. The English striker converts involvement into goals faster, even if Messi produces more total output.

Shooting profile and chance quality

Shot volume points to role and territory. Messi fires 5.50 shots per game, which is high and keeps goalkeepers busy. Kane attempts 3.67 shots per game, a smaller but efficient diet. When the big chances arrive, conversion matters. Here, Kane leads the way.

Kane’s big chance conversion is 57.1%, a sharp finishing return. Messi converts big chances at 40.0%, respectable but behind England’s No. 9. The split suggests that Kane’s opportunities are fewer but higher yield. Messi’s larger shooting load explains the higher total goals, even with a lower big-chance hit rate.

Creativity vs penalty-box punch

Creation leans clearly toward the Argentina playmaker. Messi averages 3.67 key passes per game, which feeds teammates and inflates chance volume. Kane supplies 0.83 key passes per game, reflecting a more direct striker brief. The profiles look complementary rather than similar. One is an all-field engine, the other a specialist finisher.

Touches per goal again shows how each star operates. Kane makes fewer touches before scoring, a sign of quick, decisive actions near the box. Messi’s higher touches per goal fit his wider on-ball role before the final touch. It all lines up neatly with the assists column and the Ratings we see on Sofascore.

<iframe id="sofa-player-embed-108579" src="https://widgets.sofascore.com/embed/player/108579?widgetTheme=light&footballStatComponent=all" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width:100%!important;
  height:568px!important;max-width:730px!important;"></iframe><div style="font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:left">
    

What it means for England vs Argentina

The matchup is set up as creativity against efficiency. If Argentina lean into Messi’s 9.18 Sofascore Rating form, the chance count should follow. England will trust Kane’s 57.1% big-chance conversion to make fewer looks count. Both sides know the margins are thin in a semifinal.

Set pieces and shot selection will be key trends to watch. England need to funnel the game into Kane’s most dangerous zones. Argentina benefit when Messi’s 3.67 key passes per game translate into multiple clear chances. The winner faces Spain in Sunday’s final, and tonight’s numbers will likely tell us why.

<iframe id="sofa-cupTree-embed-16-58210-10560975" src="https://widgets.sofascore.com/embed/unique-tournament/16/season/58210/cuptree/10560975?showCompetitionLogo=true&widgetTitle=Knockout+stage&widgetTheme=light" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width:100%!important;
  height:920px!important;max-width:700px!important;320px!important;"></iframe><div style="font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:left">