Polish referee Szymon Marciniak lifts Algeria's defender #02 Aissa Mandi as he reacts in pain next to Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. Picture: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
He may be the darling of world football, but there’s little denying that Lionel Messi was fortunate to avoid a red card in Argentina’s 3-0 Fifa World Cup win over Algeria on Wednesday.
Having already scored the opening goal, Messi lunged into a tackle from behind on Algerian captain Aïssa Mandi during the first half.
Video replays appeared to show Messi making clear contact with Mandi’s calf from behind, sending the defender tumbling to the ground.
Although play was stopped, referee Szymon Marciniak opted not to book Messi at all.
