England vs Argentina: Jamie Carragher believes Thomas Tuchel’s side can exploit Lionel Messi in World Cup semi-final | Football news

Jamie Carragher believes England can use Lionel Messi in their World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

The 38-year-old has arguably been the tournament’s standout player this summer, scoring eight goals and adding two more assists as he looks to lead Argentina to a second successive World Cup finals.

Thomas Tuchel’s side will be looking to find a way to stop Messi in his tracks as they attempt to end their 60-year wait for a place in the final on Sunday. However, Carragher believes the Three Lions must look for ways to exploit Messi’s defensive weaknesses as they seek to end his threat.

“It’s nothing new about Messi. He’s been around for 20 years and nobody’s got an answer,” Carragher said.

“There has to be a plan. I don’t think it will be a job of marking men, but they need a plan. The players will be expecting that. You don’t accept defeat in any way. You come with the greatest player of all. He showed it in this tournament as well.

“Also, they have to think about how they can use Lionel Messi. He moves when the opponents get the ball, that doesn’t mean that England’s left-back has to stand next to him the whole game.

“They can take advantage of the fact that Argentina only defends with nine outfield players.”

Carragher hopes the semi-final in Atlanta will follow a similar pattern to the opener against Croatia where Tuchel’s men could not take advantage of a forward-looking team.

“I don’t think there is too much between the teams. I hope this game has the characteristics of the Croatia game, where you play against a team that considers itself a good team,” he added.

“I certainly don’t think they’re going to be getting everybody behind the ball. They’re going to try to tackle us, and that’s going to leave us some space to attack? Their full-backs like to go up, but they’re not really playing on the flanks either, so maybe that’s something we can use.

“I hope it’s a different type of game than what we’ve seen in most of England’s games in this tournament. I don’t think England have come close to the best in terms of performance.”

‘There is nothing wrong with Tuchel’s Norway comments’

Carragher also jumped to Tuchel’s defense following his comments after the game against Norway. The German player criticized England’s level of football and expressed that he believes that they almost lost them in the quarter final.

Soon after, Jude Bellingham was quoted as saying what he did with those comments, where he said Tuchel didn’t know what it was like to play in the worst conditions in Miami. Temperatures topped 33C during the clash, with humidity making conditions feel close to 40C.

However, Carragher has played down suggestions of any split in the England camp over Tuchel’s test.

“I didn’t think there was anything wrong with Tuchel’s comments,” Carragher said. “He might have been upset after the game. England didn’t play well and they could have easily lost that game against Norway.

“I understand Tuchel completely. We know what he was like at Chelsea. That’s one of his strengths. He tells you straight. You saw him against Spence in this tournament.

“In the World Cup, the manager must make a decision. He must make big decisions, tell the people directly. Don’t wait. Things must happen quickly. I thought the manager’s interview was smart.

“Jude, again, was upset after the game. He just scored a few goals, then he saw how difficult it was on the pitch, and the conditions as well. I could understand that, but Thomas Tuchel will be fine with that.”

Carra picks Saka to start instead of Madueke

With Declan Rice fit and Reece James returning from his position against Norway, it seems that Tuchel’s selection problems have eased as to who should start on the right side.

Noni Madueke has netted four times this summer compared to Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka’s three.

Saka has struggled for fitness throughout the summer, but Carragher believes Tuchel should start him against Argentina and avoid thinking of saving him for the final.

“I think Madueke had many opportunities in this competition,” he said. “It has never happened to him. Saka was not at his level, but as we know he is not 100 per cent.

“I hope that every minute or so he will be on the field and so on, we are starting to see a little bit of what we know about Bukayo Saka.

“These are the games you give yourself a chance in. If he’s right, or you think you can get something out of him, then you have to pick him. There’s no worry about what comes after that. I know it’s the World Cup final after that, but this game is very important.”