England manager Thomas Tuchel believes facing Lionel Messi and Argentina will inspire his side to raise their level in Wednesday’s World Cup 2026 semi-final.
The Three Lions are aiming to book a spot in Sunday’s final against Spain after Luis de la Fuente’s troops toppled France on Tuesday.
Tuchel had strongly criticised England’s performance against Norway in the quarter-finals, but he nevertheless expects the clash in Atlanta to bring out the best in his players.
Technical errors
“We had too many technical errors in our last match [against Norway] that hold us back from finding a rhythm,” Tuchel explained during his pre-match press conference.
“We were rushed in our decision making, not patient enough or disciplined enough, and it cost us our rhythm.
“We improved in the tournament in defending and defending as a team. This is something we need at the highest level [against Argentina].
“The acceleration, combined with technical execution, has to be at a higher level.”
Very hungry
Despite that, the German remains positive ahead of the blockbuster match-up.
“A set-up like [Argentina] will bring the best out of us and the best out of our players,” he said.
“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.”
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Stopping Messi
On trying to stop eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Tuchel added: “We are totally aware that we cannot stop him all the time and for 100 per cent.
“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.”
Political context
Asked if he sees the wider context of often-fraught relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina playing a part in the match, Tuchel was unconcerned: “I would say it’s irrelevant but I am not sure.
“The players are aware of what it means to them. If a fixture has iconic moments, you cannot say it is just another football match.
“We don’t speak, me and my team, about the historic events. The tension is big enough.
“We try to reduce information the bigger the stage gets and the bigger the tension. The magnitude of the game is what it is – it does not help if we engage.”
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Liam McLaughlan 
Aidan Leo