When Argentina faced off against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, you could bet your bottom dollar that it would be the Lionel Messi show all night long. As it turns out, you’d be right to bet that bottom dollar, but not for his outsize brilliance.
When all was said and done in Kansas City, Argentina came away the victors, but a dark cloud overshadowed the 3-0 win after Messi’s rash challenge went blatantly unpunished.
Former PGMOL Referee Believes Lionel Messi Got Away With Murder
Messi absolutely stole the show on Tuesday night for vastly different reasons. With his 39th birthday around the corner, all eyes were on how much the Inter Miami superstar has left in the tank for one last push as La Albiceleste look to defend their crown as world champions.
Messi had a hat-trick on the night, drawing level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history. But between his first and second goals, the Argentine maverick was beyond lucky to get away with a challenge that most believe should have led to a straight red card.
The instance in focus was when Messi lunged at Aissa Mandi, with the Algerian captain in complete control of the ball. Messi’s chances of dispossessing Mandi were few and far between, but he tried regardless, and the whole thing ended in a studs-up challenge on the Algeria skipper.
It was, by all accounts, a dangerous tackle. Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Keith Hackett also held the same opinion.
“Lionel Messi has clearly raked his studs down the calf of his opponent. This is an act of violent conduct for which he should’ve received a red card,” Hackett said.
“With players with reputations of top quality, like Messi and others, they have a duty of care towards their opponents. And the referee must treat the game and all its players equally. Again, I reiterate, Messi should’ve been dismissed for violent conduct.”
Considering the fact that Messi got away scot-free (not even a yellow card was brandished after the challenge), he will certainly count his stars in the matches to come.
Had a straight red been shown to the superstar footballer, Argentina would have undoubtedly challenged the call, but it would have been tough to argue against any action being taken against Messi. A straight red would’ve also led to an automatic three-game ban, massively denting Argentina’s chances.
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As the reigning champions, this was the first time at the World Cup that Argentina avoided defeat in the opening game of their campaign. That there was more than a stroke of luck to this win will be debated nigh unto forever if La Albiceleste go all the way all over again.
Argentina’s next showdown is against Austria on Monday, June 22. Kickoff will be at 1 pm ET in Dallas.
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