England warned of 'impossible' Messi challenge ahead of World Cup semi-final

England are set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, marking the first senior international meeting between the two nations in nearly 21 years. For England manager Thomas Tuchel, the upcoming clash in Atlanta presents a tactical dilemma as he looks to devise a plan to contain Lionel Messi.

Pundits have described the task of marking Messi as nearly impossible due to his unique spatial awareness and movement. "Marking him is impossible because he doesn't run back. He goes into little spaces where he shouldn't really be," noted Micah Richards, emphasizing that the Argentine star's aura and decision-making remain at an elite level.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney suggested that while Messi is a constant threat, his lack of defensive work rate could be an opportunity for England. Rooney believes the tactical trade-off will be central to Tuchel’s approach, requiring intense concentration and constant communication from the English defense.

Chris Sutton, meanwhile, insists that England should not be intimidated by the current Argentine side. Despite their history and resilience, Sutton believes this is not an unbeatable team. The outcome may well hinge on England's ability to maintain composure against a partisan crowd and the psychological weight of Messi’s presence on the pitch.