Former England striker Robbie Fowler suggests that Spain’s success in the FIFA World Cup 2026 may depend on how they handle Lionel Messi. Fowler emphasizes the importance of denying Messi time and space rather than just focusing on man-marking him.
Fowler highlights England’s effective control over Argentina’s offensive players during the semifinals as a key strategy. He mentions the need to prevent Argentina from creating conditions that allow Messi to dominate the game.
According to Fowler, England faced challenges when Messi dropped deeper to receive the ball. This movement by Messi created space for him to exploit, leading to England’s defensive struggles.
Fowler emphasizes the collective defensive effort required from Spain to neutralize Messi’s impact. He stresses the importance of players working together to block channels and prevent Messi from influencing the game.
While discussing Spain’s playing style, Fowler acknowledges their departure from traditional tiki-taka tactics. He praises Spain’s current possession-based approach, highlighting their purposeful and direct style of play.
Fowler commends Spain’s ability to break through opposition presses and transition quickly in attack. He notes the team’s evolution towards a more direct and purposeful style of play, different from their past tiki-taka reputation.
