A defender's view on how to stop the World Cup's best strikers
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- Mbappe, Haaland, Messi, and Kane all scored multiple goals in World Cup matches last week — Mbappe netted twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, Haaland matched that in Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq, Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, and Kane struck twice in England's 4-2 win over Croatia
- Messi's treble drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time top scorer on 16 goals, with Mbappe just two behind on 14, while Messi's international tally stands at 120 goals
- Ashley Williams, the former Everton and Wales defender, told BBC Sport that stopping Messi requires pushing him into "comfortable areas" through body shape, distancing, and angles of approach — and that forcing him onto his weaker foot has limited success because his low centre of gravity and touch let him control the ball regardless
- Mbappe surpassed Olivier Giroud to become France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals, and Williams — who marked him for 84 minutes in a 2017 friendly — said defenders must "stay locked in" at Mbappe's high pace, warning that ignoring France's supporting cast like Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele would be costly
- Haaland is the "most clinical" of the four with 57 goals in 51 caps, and Williams said the priority is cutting off balls played in behind because Haaland "beats you without the ball," advising defenders to squeeze up the midfield and force him onto his right foot near the box
- Kane's shooting is "arguably the best out of all these players," according to Williams, who said defenders should let Kane drop into midfield and instead prioritize stopping England's runners like Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke exploiting the space behind
Why it matters: Four of football's biggest strikers posted statement performances in the same matchweek, with Mbappe overtaking Giroud as France's all-time top scorer on 58 goals and Messi drawing level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals — records that underline why opposing defenders face such varied tactical puzzles, since the right approach against Haaland (cut supply, squeeze up) is the opposite of the right approach against Kane (let him drop, mark the runners).
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