During the match, an episode involving contact near an Algerian defender’s foot led some analysts to describe Messi’s action as a potential foul. However, the referee did not issue any card, and there was no clear intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
If you watched this video properly you will notice something,The Algerian player intensionally put his leg there to give Messi injury.
— Oghenevwogaga (@KingOgba96) June 18, 2026
He knows that the GOAT raised his leg up and will want to drop it there so he rushed and put his leg in front of the GOATs own,He wants Messi to… pic.twitter.com/AkLtU7IaAJ
Some ESPN analysts suggested that a red card could have been considered in the situation, but the final decision went the other way, prompting debate over officiating consistency.
Following the incident, social media users expressed mixed reactions. Some criticized the referee’s decision as unfair, while others made broader claims about bias in World Cup officiating. These claims remain unverified.
Others argued that the outcome might have been different if another player had been involved, although no official confirmation supports these assertions.
Despite the controversy, Messi delivered a standout performance in the same match, scoring a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3–0 victory over Algeria.
