Algeria have lodged an official complaint with FIFA over refereeing decisions in their 3-0 World Cup defeat by Argentina, with the conduct of captain Lionel Messi among the incidents highlighted, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.
The complaint was submitted to FIFA’s refereeing commission following the Group J match in Kansas City and details several incidents Algeria believe were incorrectly handled by the match officials.
Among the key moments cited was a first-half challenge involving Messi and Algeria captain Aissa Mandi. Algeria contend the Argentina forward stepped on Mandi’s calf from behind with a raised boot, an incident that prompted calls from some fans for a red card. No disciplinary action was taken, however, and Messi remained on the field.
Algeria also questioned a second-half challenge involving Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahim Maza. The North African side argued that Mac Allister appeared to strike Maza with a raised elbow, but no foul or card was awarded by referee Szymon Marciniak.
Marciniak, the Polish official who refereed the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, was positioned close to the incident involving Mac Allister.
Messi went on to deliver a match-winning performance, scoring all three goals as defending champions Argentina opened their campaign with a convincing victory.
The 38-year-old struck first with a long-range effort before adding a second from close range after a rebound. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a curling finish.
The treble was Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, the joint-highest tally in the history of the men’s tournament.
The milestone came in his 200th appearance for Argentina national football team and just days before his 39th birthday, marking another landmark moment in a career that began with his first World Cup goal in 2006.
Argentina next face Austria national football team in Dallas on Monday, while Algeria national football team take on Jordan national football team in San Francisco as both teams continue their Group J campaigns.
