Large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well

England skipper Harry Kane opned up attempts to stop Lionel Messi following their 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-final. The Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose the game against the reigning world champions with Messi at the heart of the comeback.

Thomas Tuchel’s side took the lead in the 55th minute with Anthony Gordon scoring at the end of a brilliant counter-attack. After the goal. England sat deep, inviting pressure from Argentina, a decision that came back to haunt them as the Albiceleste scored two late goals to win the game.

Enzo Fernandez scored a fantastic long-range goal to equalize in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez scored the winner seven minutes later. After the game, England captain Harry Kane insisted that they dealt with Lionel Messi well for most parts of the game.

The Bayern Munich star also insisted that they gave away too much space to the opposition, encouraging them to grow into the game. He also hailed Lionel Messi as one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. He said, as quoted by TSN Official:

“Yeah, I felt like for large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well. But as always with the most dangerous players in the world, when they had the ball in the final third, they can create something. And he’s done that again today. He’s obviously one of the best players ever for a reason.”

Kane added:

“And, like I said, it was disappointing to kind of give up the space that we did. In those final 20 minutes, it allows not just him but the other players, the other ball players to grow into the game and feel more confident and get balls into dangerous areas. And, in the and, it was too much for us to stop.”

Lionel Messi delivered yet another Man of the Match display to inspire Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory against England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final. The 39-year-old delivered both assists and also created the most chances (4) in the game.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar also had the joint-most touches in the opposition box (6) and completed the most dribbles (10). Even at the age of 39, Messi has arguably been the best player in the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far with eight goals and provided four assists in seven games.

England star Jude Bellingham opens up on his verbal altercation with Lionel Messi during FIFA World Cup S/F

England star Jude Bellingham lifted the lid on his visible verbal altercation with Lionel Messi during England’s 2-1 loss against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-final. After the game, the Real Madrid midfielder insisted that it was only in the heat of the game and he had no problem with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Bellingham also insisted that it was a privilege for him to share the pitch with the Barcelona legend. He said:

“There were ZERO problems with Messi. We were talking about a frictional shot, actually there was nothing bad at all. I’m sure everyone will do their job and blow it out of proportion, but for me there was nothing. For me was a PRIVILEGE to face Leo.”

Jude Bellingham enjoyed a solid FIFA World Cup campaign for England, scoring six goals and providing one assist in seven games. However, he failed to influence the game against Argentina as his side lost out to the reigning world champions.