In the highly anticipated match between England and Argentina, head coach Thomas Tuchel meticulously prepared for every scenario, particularly focusing on how to neutralize Lionel Messi. For the first hour, England successfully limited Messi's impact, with his only significant touch in the penalty area being thwarted by Elliot Anderson shortly after Anthony Gordon scored.

• Messi's sprinting percentage was a mere 4.3%, lower than his previous matches against Switzerland and Egypt.
• He managed only one long-range shot, marking one of his least productive performances in a World Cup match, with minimal shots in normal time.

Despite England's solid defensive strategy, Messi's performance shifted dramatically in the second half. His heat map indicated he was primarily active in the right half-space, where he typically operates. However, subtle changes in his positioning allowed him to take control.

In the second half, Messi attempted six open-play crosses, a significant increase compared to his average of 2.3 crosses per 90 minutes since 2015. One of these crosses led to a crucial moment, where Jordan Pickford saved a header from Nico González. This prompted Tuchel to adjust his defensive strategy, bringing on Ezri Konsa and later Dan Burn.

However, Messi's crossing ability proved superior to that of the Mexican players who previously faced England. His assist for Lautaro Martínez’s winning goal generated an impressive 0.53xG, surpassing England's total chances for the night.

Despite a statistically unusual game, Messi's brilliance shone through, reminding everyone that even the best-laid plans can be undone by the greatest of all time.