Lionel Messi red card controversy: VAR decision sparks debate despite record World Cup performance

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) smiles during Argentina’s World Cup Group J match between Argentina and Algeria (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Lionel Messi once again stole the show for Argentina, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his career in a 3-0 win over Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals to become joint top scorer in World Cup history. The 38-year-old captain described the achievement as a special moment shared with his family, teammates and supporters.“To enjoy it with my family, with my teammates, those who are always there, it’s a really beautiful moment,” Inter Miami star Messi said afterwards. “I’m happy.Messi also praised the support of the Argentine fans.“I’m grateful to the fans because they showed again that Argentina are crazy about it – we filled the stadium again.”

The solution is controversial

Despite his heroics, Messi found himself at the center of controversy early in the second half after clashing with Algerian defender Aissa Mandi. The referee awarded a free-kick and VAR ruled against another penalty, allowing the Argentina captain to stay on the pitch.However, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha felt Messi was lucky to escape the ban.“It probably should have been a red card,” former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha told ESPN.“And I think the referee probably missed it, and I understand why the referee missed it, but for the video referees to look at that and say ‘well, that’s fine, there’s nothing more to it’, I personally think it deserves a red card.”His ESPN colleague Ale Moreno was even more emphatic.“It’s 100 percent a red card for Lionel Messi, it should have been,” he added.

Scaloni is running out of superlatives

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted that he no longer has enough words to describe his captain.“He’s made us see things like this for 20 years and he inspires everyone who watches him play,” Scaloni said.Looking ahead to the next Group J game against Austria, Scaloni said: “We will take it one game at a time. The team is happy, we have given game time to a lot of players.”“Hopefully we can win another one so everyone can go into the third group game.