Can England contain Messi? Tuchel hints at retro man-mark tactic ahead of epic World Cup semi | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has admitted has has considered man marking Lionel Messi when England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals tonight.

England face their old rivals in Atlanta this evening, seeking to reach theWorld Cup final for the first time in six decades.

Key to beating the world champions will be combatting the threat of Messi, who is the joint-leading scorer at the 2026 tournament with eight goals.

The 39-year-old remains arguably the world's finest footballer, and Tuchel admitted he has been working on plans to minimise his impact.

Among his ideas has been an 'old-school man mark' of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"We are totally aware that we cannot stop him all the time and for 100 per cent,"Tuchel said.

"He's a very different player from Erling Haaland, but we did very, very well in our way, in the way you should maybe play against Erling. So we will find a way now.

"I was thinking about this, whether we do an old-school man mark. Not sure if we follow through with the idea but it crossed my mind.

"Everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. If you analyse matches, he sees things faster. The ball drops to him and he finds the gap.

"We have found some patterns in their games but if you close the pattern, they will find a new one. It is very unique to play against the reigning champions and Lionel Messi. It is a big match in a big tournament."

“We arrive very hungry… we want the next win”: Tuchel fires up England ahead of Argentina battle

Tonight's clash is only the fourth time that England have reached a World Cup semi-final, with the Three Lions progressing only once, on route to the trophy in 1966. Tuchel, however, is confident his team can embrace the occasion.

"We know we are here, we were never shy of expecting that from us and dreaming it.

"We are in the semi-finals and we arrive very hungry. We want to have the next win. It is a big football match but we are very excited and ready to go."