As brilliant and utterly irrepressible as Lionel Messi is, there have been a few occasions during his illustrious career when opponents — and certainly opposition fans — have suggested that he has received “special treatment” from referees.
What is certain is that, between scoring his first and second goals against Algeria, he got lucky. A challenge on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi, who was caught by Messi on his right calf and Achilles tendon, could have earned at least a yellow card — and plausibly a red card — but Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was content to award a free kick.
It was a strange incident. Mandi was in control of the ball, going nowhere fast, and there was little prospect of dispossessing him from Messi’s position. To make a lunge like that, with his studs up, seemed incomprehensible, never mind dangerous.
Special treatment? At the very least it was lenient refereeing. A yellow card would perhaps have been the most widely expected outcome — a red card second — but Messi was certainly lucky to get away scot-free.
✍️ @OliverKay
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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 to Germany's 2026 World Cup campaign 🇩🇪
There's something about a 7-1 scoreline that brings back memories and just sounds right 😜🏆
#GERCUR
2 - Borussia Dortmund teammates to score for the same team in a FIFA World Cup match:
2026 - 🇩🇪 Nmecha & Schlotterback v Curaçao
2006 - 🇨🇿 Koller & Rosický v USA
Yellows.