Sports · 15 July 2026
England must cut Messi supply, force him wide, avoid silly free-kicks
Photo: Hossein Zohrevand (CC BY 4.0)
England will face Lionel Messi for the first time in tonight's World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina. To stop him, England needs to cut off his supply lines and deny Argentine midfielders and full-backs space to feed him. They also need to force the 39-year-old wide where he is less effective and avoid conceding needless fouls in their defensive third.
Reported by London Evening Standard · How we write briefs