Messi’s Opener Under Scrutiny: Did Mac Allister Foul Lead to Undisputed Goal?

Lionel Messi’s latest World Cup goal for Argentina has ignited a debate, with critics and coaches suggesting the strike should have been disallowed due to a potential foul in the build-up. The incident occurred during Argentina’s match against Austria, where Messi netted his fourth goal of the tournament. However, the validity of the goal is now being questioned after Oostenrijkse officials and players pointed to an uncalled foul on midfielder Xaver Schlager.

The controversy centers around a moment just before Messi scored. Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager remained on the ground after a challenge from Argentinian player Alexis Mac Allister. Egyptian referee Amin Omar did not stop play, and crucially, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) also opted not to intervene. This decision has drawn significant criticism from Austria’s camp.

Rangnick’s Disappointment

Austria’s head coach, Ralf Rangnick, expressed his frustration, stating that the VAR should have acted similarly to how it did during a penalty incident for Argentina earlier in the match. “The VAR should have done the same as with Argentina’s penalty,” Rangnick commented, implying that the review process was inconsistent. He argued that if the referee had reviewed the play on the monitor, he would have seen a clear infringement.

Schlager’s Account

Xaver Schlager himself was unequivocal about the incident. Speaking to the Austrian media, he described the challenge from Mac Allister as a clear foul. “He took me out completely. I had both legs in the air and then fell on the grass,” Schlager explained. “I’m not known for lying down often or getting many free kicks. For me, this was absolutely a clear foul.”

Fjørtoft’s Strong Criticism

Former Norwegian international and Rapid Wien icon, Jan Age Fjørtoft, went further in his criticism. He suggested that many other referees would have awarded a foul for the challenge. “It is particularly frustrating. That the VAR ultimately did not intervene was scandalous,” Fjørtoft stated, adding that referee Omar should have issued yellow cards earlier in the game.

Key facts

The debate highlights ongoing discussions about the application of VAR in football. While the technology aims to correct clear and obvious errors, its interpretation and implementation continue to be a subject of scrutiny. For fans and analysts, such incidents raise questions about fairness and consistency in officiating, especially in high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup. The decision not to review the challenge on Schlager has left Austria feeling aggrieved and has injected a layer of controversy into Messi’s historical achievement.

Source: Voetbal International – https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/had-eerste-treffer-van-messi-mogen-tellen-duidelijke-overtreding