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Former Venezuelan international footballer and football analyst Alejandro Moreno has argued that Argentina captain Lionel Messi was fortunate to remain on the pitch during his side’s 3-0 victory over Algeria at the FIFA World Cup, insisting that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner should have received a red card for a dangerous challenge.

Messi was the star of the match, scoring a memorable hat-trick as reigning world champions Argentina opened their campaign with a convincing win. However, a controversial first-half incident involving the Inter Miami forward has continued to generate debate among football fans and pundits.

The incident occurred midway through the opening half when Messi challenged Algerian defender Aissa Mandi for possession. Replays appeared to show the Argentine star making contact with Mandi’s calf with his studs raised, leaving the defender in visible discomfort.

Despite protests from Algerian players and concerns raised by commentators, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak allowed play to continue without issuing either a yellow or red card.

The decision quickly became one of the major talking points of the match, particularly after Messi went on to score two additional goals in the second half to complete the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious international career.

Speaking on ESPN, Moreno expressed disbelief that the challenge was not punished more severely.

According to the former striker, the tackle met the criteria for a straight red card and should have prompted intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

“It’s 100 percent a red card for Lionel Messi,” Moreno said.

“It should have been. It also feeds into the narrative that football’s biggest stars often receive preferential treatment from officials.”

Moreno suggested that the incident would likely have been judged differently had it involved a less prominent player.

The former Venezuela international also pointed to television footage showing FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacting to one of Messi’s chances later in the game, arguing that such moments contribute to perceptions that the Argentine icon enjoys special treatment.

“When Messi was close to completing his hat-trick and goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a save, cameras showed Gianni Infantino smiling as if to say, ‘that was close,’” Moreno said.

“That only reinforces the belief among some people that certain players receive a different level of treatment.”

Moreno further questioned the role of VAR officials, arguing that the replay footage clearly warranted a second look by the match referee.

“We don’t even need a freeze-frame image,” he said.

“If you watch the challenge in real time, it already looks reckless. Then you see the replay, and it becomes even more obvious that it was dangerous. Somebody should have called the referee over to review it.”

He added that the nature of the contact made the incident particularly serious.

“As much as I admire Lionel Messi, it was a clumsy challenge and a bad tackle. He raked the back of the defender’s calf from the knee all the way down toward the ankle. That should have resulted in a red card.”

The controversy has attracted additional attention because Marciniak was also the referee who officiated Argentina’s dramatic victory over France in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Despite the debate surrounding the incident, the referee’s decision stood, and Messi remained on the field to inspire Argentina to victory. His three goals not only secured all three points for the defending champions but also strengthened his place among the greatest players in World Cup history.

Nevertheless, discussions over whether the Argentine superstar should have been dismissed continue to divide football fans, with many arguing that the incident highlights the broader debate about consistency in refereeing and the influence of star players on major decisions.

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The Democratic Republic of Congo made a memorable return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence, earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener and frustrating one of Europe’s strongest sides.

The result represented a significant achievement for the Leopards, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 1974. It also extended Portugal’s disappointing record in opening World Cup matches, with the European nation managing just one victory in its last five tournament openers.

Portugal appeared set for a comfortable evening after making a dream start to the encounter. Just six minutes into the game, midfielder João Neves rose highest to connect with a precise cross from Pedro Neto, heading the ball beyond the goalkeeper to hand his side an early lead.

The goal continued an impressive run of form for the young midfielder, who has now scored four times in his last two competitive international matches.

Despite falling behind early, DR Congo refused to be intimidated and gradually settled into the contest. The African side began creating opportunities of their own, with Yoane Wissa narrowly missing the target before veteran striker Cédric Bakambu saw a promising effort blocked by Portugal’s defence.

Although Portugal controlled large spells of possession and showcased their midfield quality through players such as Bruno Fernandes, they struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. Fernandes produced a brilliant pass to release Nuno Mendes behind the Congolese defence, but goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi reacted quickly to deny the full-back and keep his side in the game.

As the first half progressed, DR Congo grew increasingly confident and organised. Their determination was rewarded shortly before the break when Wissa capitalised on poor marking from a corner kick. Left completely unchallenged inside the penalty area, the forward powered a header beyond goalkeeper Diogo Costa to level the scores.

The goal was a landmark moment for the Central African nation, as it marked DR Congo’s first-ever goal in FIFA World Cup history.

The equaliser sparked celebrations among the Congolese supporters and highlighted the team’s resilience after a difficult start.

Portugal attempted to regain control after the interval and increased the intensity of their attacks. Head coach Roberto Martínez introduced Francisco Conceição, whose pace and creativity immediately added urgency to the Portuguese frontline.

The substitutes nearly made an instant impact when João Cancelo found the net with an acrobatic finish, only for the assistant referee to raise the offside flag and rule the effort out.

DR Congo continued to pose a threat on the counterattack. Bakambu came close to putting his side ahead when he struck the post during a dangerous attacking move, although the chance was eventually cancelled out due to a foul earlier in the build-up.

Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, was later presented with his clearest opportunity of the evening. However, the veteran forward was unable to convert Francisco Conceição’s inviting delivery as the Congolese defence held firm.

Both teams pushed for a winning goal during an entertaining final phase of the match, but neither side could find the breakthrough needed to claim all three points.

For DR Congo, the draw represents a major step forward and a dramatic contrast to their only previous World Cup appearance, where they lost all three matches without scoring a single goal.

With upcoming group-stage fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia still to come, the Leopards have given themselves a realistic chance of advancing to the knockout rounds and continuing what is already shaping up to be a historic World Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, Portugal will be left frustrated after failing to convert their dominance into victory and will now face added pressure in their remaining Group K matches as they seek qualification for the next stage of the tournament.

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Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.

Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 –- just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose –- and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Mbappé darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half but came to life after the break.

Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.

READ ALSO: Tunisia Replace Coach Lamouchi With Renard After World Cup Thrashing

But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals.

The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners.

But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country.

Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker’s double took him past Pele’s 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine.

He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him.

France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this to ease into the last 32, with outsiders Iraq up next before a meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Deschamps, in his last tournament before he steps down after 14 years in charge, has been wary of overconfidence in his talented squad.

Opponents Senegal served as a warning from the past -– France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal.

Olise outstanding

Senegal showed how strong they are before a packed house of 80,545 in a game played in bright sunshine with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance.

A team led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, and featuring four starters born in France, were playing their first competitive game since the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January.

Pape Thiaw’s side won that in extra time, but were later stripped of their title for a walk-off protest by several players during the match. Their appeal into that is ongoing.

They were the better team in the first half, as Nicolas Jackson almost scored on the break on 25 minutes when he broke away and hit the post, before the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and went just wide.

Ismaila Sarr then put a glorious chance over the bar in first-half stoppage time, and Senegal were to regret that.

Olise and Ousmane Dembele switched positions at the interval, with the reigning Ballon d’Or moving right and leaving the area through the middle behind Mbappe to the Bayern man.

Suddenly France came to life, with Olise being denied by Edouard Mendy and then setting up Mbappe for a chance that was saved.

France thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when Mbappe went down under a Mane challenge, but referee Alireza Faghani opted not to award a spot-kick after a review.

It didn’t matter, as Olise continued to tear apart the opposition and slipped in Mbappe for the opener.

It was a superb goal, and France struck again when Adrien Rabiot released substitute Barcola to run through and score.

Mbaye got one back on 95 minutes, but Mbappe had the last word.

AFP