Messi's defensive frailties a potential weakness for Argentina against England, analysts say

Argentina has reached the World Cup semifinals after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Julián Álvarez scored the decisive goal in extra time, securing the "Albiceleste's" place in the next round. This win sets up a highly anticipated clash with England, marking the first time Lionel Messi will face the Three Lions in his national team career.

While Messi did not score, extending his World Cup consecutive goal streak to nine games, he was instrumental in Argentina's opener. His precise 10th-minute pass found Alexis Mac Allister for a header, setting a new World Cup record for career assists. This milestone highlights Messi's enduring impact on the tournament, even as his scoring run concluded.

However, the Argentine superstar's defensive work rate has become a point of discussion. Former England international Micah Richards noted that while England's physicality might challenge Argentina, Messi's inability to track back could be exploited. "It's almost impossible to mark him because he doesn't defend," Richards observed, emphasizing Messi's knack for appearing in unexpected spaces and his elite technical skills.

Echoing these concerns, ex-England striker Wayne Rooney stated that Messi's lack of defensive contribution could be Argentina's Achilles' heel. "He won't track back, but like Bellingham, he always shows up in important moments and shows high individual ability," Rooney commented. He stressed that England's success against Argentina hinges on "concentration and communication" to cover the defensive gaps Messi might leave.