The World Cup is back, and the usual suspects are already ruining defenders’ lives. Last week, four of the planet’s most expensive goal-machines decided to show off. It felt like a petty game of one-upmanship. Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace against Senegal. Erling Haaland did the same to Iraq. Then Lionel Messi, defying the aging process, smashed a hat-trick past Algeria. Not to be outdone, Harry Kane put two past Croatia.
How do you stop them? You probably don’t. But former Premier League defender Ashley Williams has some ideas. They might save you some embarrassment.
First up: Lionel Messi. The little magician is turning 39. He doesn’t care. His treble against Algeria put him level with Miroslav Klose at 16 World Cup goals. That’s 120 international goals in total. Ridiculous. Williams says stopping him requires a collective effort and a massive dose of luck. Forget forcing him onto his weak foot. He’s too smart. His balance is absurd. Williams suggests choosing your poison. Force him into wide, crowded areas. Let someone else shoot. It’s damage control, really.
Then there is Kylian Mbappe. Williams knows him well. He chased him around Paris in 2017. Back then, Mbappe was a teenager. Now, he’s France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals. Mbappe is direct. Pure intensity. Unlike Messi, who toys with your tempo, Mbappe plays at 100 miles per hour. You have to match that speed. Stay locked in. But don’t obsess over him. France has other weapons like Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele. Focus too much on Mbappe, and the others will destroy you.
Next is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian giant is 25. This is his first major tournament. He is hungry. He has 57 goals in 51 games. That is terrifying efficiency. Haaland beats you without the ball. He doesn’t need to dribble past five players. He wants the space behind you. The key? Cut off the supply line. Stop the midfielders from feeding him. If he gets the ball in the box, force him onto his right foot. Use brute force. Don’t try to be clever. Just clear the ball.
Finally, Harry Kane. Kane is 32 now. He’s not the same player who used to terrorize Williams’ Swansea defense a decade ago. He’s slower. But he’s smarter. And his shooting is still lethal. Don’t let him shoot. Kane drops deep now. He acts like a playmaker. If you follow him into midfield, you leave gaps. Williams advises defenders to hand him off to the midfielders. Stay deep. Watch the runners. Guys like Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon will exploit the space Kane vacates. That’s England’s real trap.
