World Cup 2026: Refereeing expert says Messi was lucky to avoid a red card against Algeria

Lionel Messi’s historic performance against Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to generate debate, but not solely because of the hat trick that guided Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory.

While the Argentine captain captured headlines by drawing level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, attention has also focused on a controversial challenge involving Algerian defender Aissa Mandi that has divided opinion since the final whistle.

The Incident That Sparked Debate

The contentious moment occurred while Argentina held a 1-0 lead, with Messi making a forceful challenge on Mandi during the match.

Referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a foul but chose not to issue any disciplinary sanction against the Argentine star. The incident was subsequently reviewed by Video Assistant Referee Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who opted not to recommend an on field review.

The decision allowed Messi to remain on the pitch, where he went on to complete his hat trick and help Argentina secure all three points in their opening World Cup fixture.

Expert Believes Red Card Was Warranted

Former English referee Andy Davies has weighed in on the controversy, arguing that Messi was fortunate to escape a dismissal.

Speaking to ESPN, Davies said: “Messi’s tackle was unnecessary, and he was very lucky not to have been sent off.”

The former official explained that the nature of the contact was the key factor when evaluating the challenge.

“When there is contact from behind with the shoe’s studs rubbing against the calf and with a degree of force, the appropriate punishment in such cases is a direct red card,” he added.

Why Intent Does Not Matter

Davies also addressed one of the main arguments raised in defence of Messi following the incident.

According to the refereeing expert, whether the Argentine captain intended to commit the foul is largely irrelevant under the Laws of the Game.

He explained that intent is not considered a decisive factor when assessing serious foul play. Instead, referees are instructed to focus on the nature of the challenge, the point of contact and the level of force used during the incident.

From that perspective, Davies believes the challenge met the threshold for a straight red card.

A Decision That Could Have Changed the Match

The former referee suggested that a dismissal at that stage of the game could have significantly altered the outcome.

“From my point of view, Messi was lucky because this incident warranted a straight red card. It occurred when Argentina was leading 1-0, which could have significantly affected the course of the match,” Davies stated.

With Argentina still protecting a narrow advantage at the time, playing with ten men for the remainder of the contest could have provided Algeria with an opportunity to get back into the game.

Potential Impact Beyond Algeria Match

Davies also pointed to the wider implications a red card could have carried for Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

“Messi’s expulsion could have affected the rest of Argentina’s journey in the group stage, as he would have likely been suspended for at least one match, which would have prevented him from participating in one of the next matches in the World Cup.”

Instead, Messi remained on the field, completed a memorable hat trick and helped Argentina begin their title defence in emphatic fashion, even as debate over the controversial challenge continues to dominate discussions after the match.