England vs Argentina
July 16, 2026 · 16:24 2 min read 5 views
England had a plan to deal with Lionel Messi, with Thomas Tuchel preparing for every eventuality before the match against Argentina.
Background
Tuchel considered how his team could prosper in attack while remaining solid in defence, including how to handle different scenarios such as scoring first or conceding the opening goal.
Key Details
For the first hour, Messi was largely peripheral, with data showing England limiting his involvement in dangerous areas. His only possession in the centre of the penalty area was snuffed out by an Elliot Anderson tackle shortly after a goal was scored.
What It Means
The proportion of the distance Messi covered that was defined by Fifa as sprinting speed was 4.3%, lower than in previous rounds against Switzerland and Egypt.