1 of 5 | Argentine Lionel Messi's eight goals at the 2026 World Cup are tied for the most at the tournament. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
July 15 (UPI) -- England will consider a man-marking strategy against Lionel Messi during Wednesday's World Cup semifinal, manager Thomas Tuchel told reporters.
Tuchel spoke about the idea when he met with reporters Tuesday in Atlanta. His Three Lions will meet La Albiceleste at 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium.
Man‑marking is a defensive strategy in which a defender is assigned to closely track and restrict the movement of a specific opposing player throughout the match.
"It's a big rivalry," Tuchel said. "It's two big football nations. ... We expect an intense match. We expect an emotional match. I expect a match with a lot of momentum swings. Everything else would surprise me."
