🏆 Controversy: Should Messi have been sent off?


This morning, the discussion revolves around Lionel Messi. With a hat-trick against Algeria, the Argentine star achieved his 14th, 15th and 16th World Cup goals, equaling record holder Miroslav Klose. But should he have achieved this feat? A moment from the game caused a huge repercussion in the world of football. What happened: in the middle of the first half, with the score at 1-0, Messi was involved in a play with Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi, making clear contact with the player's shin. Referee Szymon Marciniak awarded the foul but did not show a yellow or red card. VAR also did not intervene — which, according to former Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich, was a mistake. In his analysis on 'MagentaTV', he explained: "There are three criteria for a red card. In this case, it means firstly: he has no chance at all to play the ball. Secondly: the point of contact looks serious. The only factor missing is intensity." Even so, according to Ittrich, this move “fulfills two of the three criteria for an expulsion”. His final conclusion was: "For me, this is a red card. In the Bundesliga, we have often seen a red given for this. From a rules point of view, an expulsion would be appropriate." So, should Messi have been sent off in the first half, and therefore, shouldn't he have broken Klose's record? What do you think of Ittrich's comments? Leave your opinion in the comments!