Tuchel: Argentina and Lionel Messi will bring the best out of England
By Sky News, July 15, 2026Thomas Tuchel believes the challenge of Argentina and Lionel Messi will bring the best out of his England side.
The old rivals are set for an epic contest in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with the winner facing Spain in the final on Sunday, July 15, 2026.
Tuchel was critical of the football his team produced in their quarter-final extra-time win over Norway but expects a better performance against Argentina.
“We had too many technical errors in our last match that hold us back from finding a rhythm,” explained Tuchel. “We were rushed in our decision making, not patient enough or disciplined enough, and it cost us our rhythm.
Bring the best out of England
“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. A set-up like [from Argentina] will bring the best out of us and the best out of our players.”
On the size of the occasion and the opportunity at stake, Tuchel added: “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.”
To stop Argentina, England will have to stop Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old continues to excel and is the tournament’s joint-top scorer with eight goals.
“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.”
Marking Messi
The England manager added, “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.”
Summing up the challenge, Tuchel said: “There is a lot to take care of. We are here to play our way and impose our style.
“We are here to play the semi-final our way. We know how big the ask is, but we are ready for it.”