World Cup Stars Shine Bright
The recent World Cup has been illuminated by standout performances from some of football's most celebrated strikers. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane each delivered impressive displays in their opening matches, fueling discussions about how opposing teams might contain such formidable talent.
Kylian Mbappe initiated the scoring spree with a brace for France against Senegal. Erling Haaland followed suit with two goals in Norway's victory over Iraq. Lionel Messi then showcased his enduring brilliance with a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria, while Harry Kane netted twice in England's win over Croatia. These performances have prompted former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams to share his tactical perspectives on defending against these distinct yet equally effective players.
Containing Lionel Messi: Guiding Him to 'Comfortable' Areas
Despite approaching 39, Lionel Messi's recent hat-trick for Argentina underscored his continued impact, bringing him level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. Williams emphasizes a collective defensive effort against Messi.
"It's more of a team effort," Williams explained. "You've got to cover all your bases, which might be getting tight as a defender, or dropping off and letting your midfield get tight. Try as best you can to push him into comfortable areas with your body shape, your distancing and your angles of approach."
Williams noted the difficulty in forcing Messi onto his weaker foot due to his exceptional ball control, low center of gravity, and balance, which allow him to manipulate the ball and position defenders unfavorably.
Defending Against Kylian Mbappe: Maintaining Intensity
Ashley Williams has personal experience facing Kylian Mbappe from his playing days. He describes Mbappe as a more direct player than Messi, equally challenging to defend due to his pace and intensity in dribbling.
"When Mbappe dribbles, it's normally with more pace," Williams stated. "The way he will manoeuvre the ball to where he wants, in a twist and turn, is with more intensity. When you're playing against a striker that is normally 100 miles an hour, you stay in that rhythm as well."
Williams suggested that while Mbappe is difficult, defenders might prefer facing him over Messi because his consistent high pace allows defenders to stay 'locked in' at a similar rhythm. He also highlighted the importance of a collective defensive unit against France, given their array of attacking talent beyond Mbappe.
Neutralizing Erling Haaland: Cutting Off Supply Lines
Erling Haaland, making his international tournament debut at 25, has quickly made his mark. Williams describes him as an attacker who excels at beating defenders without the ball, exploiting space behind the defensive line.
"He's the opposite of Mbappe and Messi," Williams observed. "He'll beat you without the ball, which makes it even more dangerous. You want to help your midfield by squeezing up, so they don't have to cover too much distance. But as soon as you leave the space in behind, he's going to exploit that straight away."
The primary strategy against Haaland, according to Williams, is to prevent his teammates from delivering the ball to him. Limiting the supply and maintaining tight distances between midfield and defense are crucial. One-on-one, defenders should aim to get tight, force him onto his right foot, and clear the ball strongly rather than attempting clever maneuvers.
Handling Harry Kane: Prioritizing Runners and Limiting Shots
Harry Kane, now 32, presents a different challenge compared to his earlier career. Williams notes that Kane's game has evolved, with less emphasis on dribbling and more on his exceptional shooting ability and willingness to drop deep to influence play.
"Now he's not going to beat you in the dribble, so you've got to get up tight and not let him shoot," Williams advised. "His shooting is arguably the best out of all these players."
Kane's tendency to drop into midfield to utilize his passing range requires defenders to communicate effectively with their midfielders. Williams suggested that defenders should prioritize covering the space and runners created by Kane's deeper positioning, such as Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, and Anthony Gordon, rather than solely focusing on closing down Kane in midfield. Preventing gaps in the backline and stopping runs in behind is considered England's biggest offensive threat.