Lionel Messi made more World Cup history in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria, but his record-breaking goal has now become the centre of a heated debate.
The Argentina captain opened the scoring in Dallas after a quick attacking move finished with his trademark left-footed strike. The goal moved Messi beyond Miroslav Klose’s long-standing World Cup scoring mark and pushed him further into football immortality.
But not everyone was convinced the goal should have stood.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel argued that the move should have been stopped before Argentina reached Austria’s penalty area. The controversy came from an earlier challenge by Alexis Mac Allister on Xaver Schlager in midfield. Austria’s players wanted a foul, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Moments later, Argentina broke forward. Thiago Almada released Nahuel Molina down the right, the cross came into the box, and Messi finished clinically to put Argentina ahead.
Schmeichel was not impressed. Speaking during the broadcast, he suggested the contact was clear enough for the goal to be reviewed and possibly ruled out. In his view, VAR should have intervened because the incident directly led to Argentina’s opening goal.
The decision, however, stood.
That meant Messi’s strike became part of World Cup history. After previously missing an early penalty, the Argentine icon responded in the only way he knows how: by taking control of the match. He later scored again deep into stoppage time, completing a brace and sealing a 2-0 win for the defending champions.
The result sent Argentina into a strong position in Group J and kept their title defence firmly on track. For Messi, it was another night of records, drama and debate.
At nearly 39, he continues to dominate the biggest stage in football. Yet this latest milestone will not be remembered only for the finish. It will also be remembered for the controversy that came before it.
Was it a foul? Should VAR have stepped in? Or was it simply another ruthless Argentina counterattack finished by the greatest player of his generation?
One thing is certain: when Messi makes history, the football world always has something to say.
