Argentina, the defending champions, will face England in the World Cup semi-final with Lionel Messi's genius posing a significant threat, but their lack of width and midfield energy offers encouragement for Thomas Tuchel's side. Switzerland demonstrated a potential blueprint for stopping Messi by congesting the centre of the pitch, making it impossible for him to find angles for threaded passes or rapier finishes. Despite a quiet game by his standards, Messi still managed to assist Alexis Mac Allister's goal from a corner. The tactic of stopping Messi sounds good in principle but most have found it impossible to execute.
Argentina's Suspect Right Flank
After the Switzerland game, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was asked to explain the problems with his team's right side. Dan Ndoye, the rapid Nottingham Forest winger, led Nahuel Molina a merry dance throughout his 86 minutes on the pitch, equalising and causing further damage. Molina was replaced before extra time, with Scaloni later pointing out that he had been a serious injury doubt before the tournament. His understudy, Gonzalo Montiel, faces similar fitness concerns, and their minutes require careful management. Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford should be licking their lips; Rodrigo De Paul offers little support from further forward, and Argentina have little midfield width, placing a heavy load on their overworked full-backs.
A Flowing but Flawed Midfield
Given time and opportunity, Argentina's midfield can weave patterns and dictate the flow, but they simply do not run as much as everyone else. None of their engine room players sit anywhere near the top of this World Cup's sprinting charts. Jude Bellingham, whose lung-busting performances have propelled England this far, could receive further opportunities to stamp his place in history. Declan Rice, if fit, would fancy causing havoc with his trademark bursts. Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister have scored important goals but have been easy to bypass out of possession, notably against Egypt. The 32-year-old De Paul is starting to look his age, and an exhausted Leandro Paredes did not last the course against Switzerland. When Argentina lose control in the middle, they struggle to wrest it back.
Moments of Genius
Argentina are a team of moments, having sailed close to the wind in all three knockout games but always feeling confident somebody will pull a rabbit from the hat. Messi provided those on demand in the group stage before bailing his team out with Egypt scenting victory. Lautaro Martínez stepped up with a beautiful cross for Fernández's winner in that game. When Switzerland looked too stubborn, the previously ineffective Julián Alvarez seized the day with a contender for goal of the tournament. The concern for England is that Argentina can be drifting through a game, only for one of their star names to deliver stunningly. “Ultimately we always find the solutions,” Scaloni said.
Getting Physical
After celebrating another semi-final, Scaloni admitted: “It was very difficult for us to win the duels, to put more than five or six passes together.” Switzerland's robustness had jolted them; Argentina were the shortest team left in the last eight and were knocked off the ball too easily. The problem will hardly abate against England, whose physique and durability are significant reasons for their ability to outlast opponents. Battles between Harry Kane and Argentina centre-backs Cristian Romero (returning from a knee injury) will be key. Romero has not been at his aggressive best despite sparking the comeback against Egypt. “We know what we will be facing,” Scaloni said. Argentina must stand up to England to avoid being smothered.
