Carragher: Forget Messi's Goals, Exploit His Lazy Legs in the Semi

Messi's been brilliant, no denying it. Eight goals, two assists, probably the best individual show of the tournament. Even Carragher admits that much. But the former Liverpool hardman doesn't think England should just focus on shutting him down up front. That's only half the battle.

"There has to be a plan," Carragher laid it out for Sky Sports. "He's shown that in this tournament too. Also, they should be thinking about how they can exploit Lionel Messi as well." What does that mean? It means Messi likes a stroll when the other team's got possession. "He walks about when the opposition have got the ball," Carragher snapped, "so that doesn't mean England's left-back should stand next to him for the whole of the game."

See the weakness. Hit it.

Argentina, Carragher points out, practically roll out the red carpet for opponents sometimes. They "only defend with nine outfield players," he deadpanned. Their full-backs bomb forward. No real wingers to track back. That leaves gaping holes. Any savvy team would eye those gaps and go for them.

Carragher drew a straight line back to England's opener against Croatia. Tuchel's lot ate them alive because Croatia pushed high, left themselves exposed. Tuchel, he reckons, gets it. And if anyone questioned Tuchel's post-match rant after the Norway quarter-final, talking up Jude Bellingham's 'discipline', Carragher wasn't having any of it.

"That's one of his plus points. He tells you straight," Carragher said of the gaffer. "In a World Cup, a manager's got to be decisive." No room for niceties. Just clear, hard truths. A manager needs to be ruthless, and Tuchel, apparently, is.