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The Three Lions have never before gone head-to-head with the legendary eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Lionel Messi will face England for the very first time when Argentina meet them in the World Cup 2026 semi-final tonight.

The player widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time will finally take on England on the occasion of his 206th senior international appearance.

Messi has netted 125 goals for Argentina, currently leads the race for his maiden World Cup Golden Boot, and has consistently proven almost impossible to contain throughout his glittering career.

However, if England are to reach their first World Cup final since their famous triumph on home soil in 1966, they must find a way to subdue him.

Here, Standard Sport analyses three possible strategies England could use to limit Messi’s influence — or at least attempt to do so.

The simplest truth is that Messi can only hurt England if he receives the ball. That much is clear.

Thomas Tuchel and his coaching team have been drilling their players in the build-up to the match on how to cut off the supply lines to Messi, ensuring Argentina’s midfielders and full-backs are denied the time and space to find him.

Argentina’s players instinctively look for Messi, even during their build-up play far from goal. England’s midfielders must remain alert to his positioning at all times and apply smart, coordinated pressure to block the passing lanes that feed him.

Golden Boot leader: Lionel Messi has scored eight goals and provided two assists at this World Cup.

As exceptional as Messi is, he is less dangerous when forced into tight or wide positions. England must exploit this by steering him away from central areas. Messi has walked 47 per cent of the distance he has covered during this World Cup — the highest proportion of any outfield player — meaning England can use his selective movement against him.

England’s full-backs, centre-backs, and midfielders should channel him towards the flanks, preventing him from drifting into the central pocket around the edge of the penalty area — the zone where he has dominated for nearly 20 years.

Had this semi-final been played in the humid heat of Miami, maintaining the intensity to press Messi and shepherd him wide would have been far more difficult. But inside the air-conditioned Atlanta Stadium, the conditions will make that tactical approach more manageable.

Messi remains as lethal from set-pieces as he is in open play. Facing Argentina means confronting arguably the finest free-kick taker in the tournament.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner reminded everyone of his prowess during Argentina’s final group match against Jordan, when he came off the bench to curl in a direct free-kick and seal victory.

Although that particular effort benefited from a poorly constructed Jordanian wall and questionable goalkeeping, Messi’s long history of spectacular free-kicks ensures England’s coaching staff are fully aware of the danger he poses from any dead-ball situation.

His ability to pick out the top corner with unerring precision remains as sharp as ever.

It will be crucial for Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, and the rest of England’s midfield and defensive players to avoid conceding unnecessary fouls near their penalty area. Any free-kick within striking range will be an opportunity Messi will eagerly seize.