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It is a curious feature of the English team's November perfect record that there were no debutants earned their first cap during the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Display in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was equally eye-catching, capping off a fine first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for his club this campaign.

Quick Rise and Future Prospects

It is just eight days since the head coach could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to start their championship quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.

Squad Background and Broader Implications

How would England have been against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over New Zealand. Perhaps the coach should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a loss. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the torrid start that affected the squad in the past.

Depth charts sound like they belong to seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of this performance.