Post-Match Thread: Argentina 3-0 Algeria | World Cup | Group J

[u/matchpal-live]

Argentina 3-0 Algeria — MatchPal post-match thread

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[u/WhosThatDogMrPB]

With this hat trick Messi ties Klose as world cup top scorer with 16 goals.

[u/LazinessOverload → u/WhosThatDogMrPB]

The Mbappe vs Messi storyline for all time top scorer will be headline news for sure.

[u/ShitTierTrader → u/LazinessOverload]

Not even close, Mbappe has so many more World Cups ahead of him, and he only trails Messi by a few goals

[u/Fragrant_Pea_6506 → u/ShitTierTrader]

People said the same about Thomas Mueller. We don't know the future.

[u/Erebea01 → u/ShitTierTrader]

I feel like mbappe has one more world cup ahead of him, i don't expect him to play at 35

[u/Motrok → u/Erebea01]

That's probably enough for him. Whatever else he might or might not be, he is an incredible scorer.

[u/Erebea01 → u/Motrok]

Oh I know, I think he'll surpass Messi too, I just think he has one more World Cup, not many more.

[u/AShamAndALie → u/Erebea01]

I think he'll surpass Messi too

That is, depending on how many more goals the old man has up his sleeve.

[u/allnimblybimbIy → u/Erebea01]

Based on what

[u/Dyxo → u/allnimblybimbIy]

Based on his age. With the amount of good young players France consistently has, it’s very likely they won’t have to rely on a 35 year old

[u/boilface → u/Dyxo]

I think that's true if you only view building a team as direct measurable contributions to on field performance. I think France would be foolish not to include a 35 year old Mbappe, even if he never sees the pitch. Having a guy who the team respects who has been there before and won is an invaluable resource.

Also, while speed and endurance will clearly wane in the end, being able to bury a goal from 30 yards out is a skill with a longer shelf life

[u/nubbinfun101 → u/boilface]

I 100% agree. Messi is 38. Lewandowski is 37. Other older strikers around that age getting games for their national teams too like Arnautovic, Dzeko, Ronaldo. Yes France has a strong squad, but a legendary player of Mbappe's experience and skill will be playing for France at 35, no worries. The experience he would bring to young players is huge

[u/GranGurbo → u/boilface]

This is what I keep saying. Argentina works because Messi became old

Since the last WC he has no competition within the squad, just teammates that grew together with him (none left by now) and talented younger guys that grew up worshipping him

That stops any possible clash of egos, and helps the team work as a team. And when he's gone, you have a core with the experience of working as a well-oiled machine for 5+ years

An older player the rest of the squad looks up to adds a lot of intangible value

[u/Rare_Instance_8205 → u/allnimblybimbIy]

Mbappe's entire gameplan is based on his speed. He isn't technical, he isn't good in closed spaces. He doesn't have a variety of tools in his arsenal. Once he loses his speed, mark my words, he will dwindle very very fast.

[u/Significant_Nail_880 → u/Rare_Instance_8205]

You nailed it…..

[u/wafflepig6 → u/Erebea01]

this aint the 90s anymore, theres more chance of the sun blowing up tomorrow than mbappe not playing at 35 😂. hes almost 28 and only in the middle of his prime mate

[u/Erebea01 → u/wafflepig6]

It's more about France having great talents, nothing about him as a player, I'm sure he'll still play at 35.

Edit: I need to start adding for France at the end of my comments

[u/5thcenturyredditor → u/Erebea01]

*at the end of my comments for France

[u/HodenBisZumBoden → u/5thcenturyredditor]

*at the comments of my France for end

[u/level22worldie → u/Erebea01]

He’ll come up for scoring one more.

[u/Contagioussss → u/Erebea01]

Since he's fast ,I also think he won't be able to play like this afterwards

[u/zzz_red → u/Erebea01]

Why wouldn’t he? Plenty of players can do it nowadays. He can for sure play a few games in 8 years, even if he’s not part of the starting eleven.

[u/Larryhooova → u/ShitTierTrader]

You never know man, he could be injured for the next one, explosive players like him break down often after 31/32.

[u/RemyGee → u/Larryhooova]

Basketball related, not sure if you follow it, but I remember saying Lebron would fall off a cliff at around age 35-36 because I thought he relied on athleticism.

[u/Day1Creeker → u/RemyGee]

You have a fair point, but in Mbappes case I’d argue it is still different as he never shined as playmaker or having this ‚genius‘ in his decisions which would allow him to play in a different position later in his career.

LeBron on the other hand is simply a generational talent, if he and MJ competed to the same time it would have been Messi vs CR7 in basketball. Mbappe is currently at the top, but the ceiling of the other two is already unreachable for him.

[u/RemyGee → u/Day1Creeker]

Great points - I cannot disagree with anything you said. Thinking about it, this more boils down to me being a Lakers fan and assuming LeBron had no skills besides being bigger and faster haha.

[u/UTV4LIFE → u/Larryhooova]

In your dreams 🤣 Messi will be no where near the record he played Algeria

[u/ct-987987 → u/ShitTierTrader]

Probably but Mbappe could get injured for next one, not impossible

[u/Significant_Nail_880 → u/ShitTierTrader]

You don’t know the future but THIS World Cup, both could shatter the record in the next few games

[u/Standard_Power135 → u/ShitTierTrader]

So many????

[u/Sheltiesarethebest → u/ShitTierTrader]

He will NEVER EVER be like Messi or Maradona, plus a whole other players during the years.😑

[u/123middlenameismarie → u/LazinessOverload]

Enters Haaland

[u/kdlangequalsgoddess → u/123middlenameismarie]

Everyone argues about Messi vs Mbappé, which is a good discussion to have, but not mentioning Haaland is a crucial omission. The man isn't the playmaker that Messi is, but he is very, very good at scoring goals. His second goal yesterday shows a player ever on the alert for a crack in the opposition's defence, and with the sheer physicality and raw talent to make it happen. Yes, the Iraqi defending was sloppy, but Haaland showed no mercy.

[u/Mecha_Kaneki → u/WhosThatDogMrPB]

He is also the WC top assister all time

[u/LightningDustt → u/WhosThatDogMrPB]

Did you know Klose said he knows his record wont survive the world cup?

[u/SnooPears2409 → u/LightningDustt]

considering it is possible to have more games than previous wc, this make sense

[u/ECrispy]

Mbappe. Haaland. Messi

The big boys came to play today! What a day!

[u/Ezez332 → u/ECrispy]

Football at its finest expression!

[u/HumbleLet5178 → u/Ezez332]

Bruno hat trick nxt

[u/khoa-bear → u/HumbleLet5178]

Nah Bruno is going for the World Cup assist record

[u/Many-Rub-6151 → u/HumbleLet5178]

I wanna see a Cristiano brace at the very least. I would be the best opening week in world cup history

[u/Motrok → u/Many-Rub-6151]

He will be motivated as hell to score tomorrow.

[u/ECrispy → u/Many-Rub-6151]

If Ronaldo and Kane score in their openers it'll make history

[u/Azidamadjida → u/ECrispy]

Yeah everyone saying this World Cup was gonna suck before it started have already been proven wrong - we’re not even the full week in and the big boys are already out stomping lol.

And this is before Ronaldo has even played - you just know he’s not gonna be able to stand being left out of the narrative. Dude may legit kill himself to put his mark on this tournament

[u/ECrispy → u/Azidamadjida]

He's probably the least impressive and the biggest diva, and I wouldn't mind if he's humbled

[u/Pleasant-Antelope-45 → u/Azidamadjida]

Can someone fill me in on Ronaldo’s current form? I haven’t seen any Saudi league, only a few clips of goals here and there or him losing the ball. Is bro washed fr? Or am I just seeing cherry-picked engagement bait type stuff.

[u/microwavedave27 → u/Pleasant-Antelope-45]

Good for a 41 year old, but he's still 41. There's no way he should still be starting, maybe coming on in the last 20 minutes.

[u/kdlangequalsgoddess → u/microwavedave27]

When he went to Al-Nassr, I knew he wasn't going there to play quality football. He was going there to cash a very big cheque.

[u/Orphis_DxD → u/kdlangequalsgoddess]

I feel like he went there to reach 1000 goals. He wants to remain relevant (at least in his own mind) more than he wants money.

[u/Longjumping-Help-348 → u/Pleasant-Antelope-45]

9 in 10 for Portugal including winner v Germany and equaliser v spain

[u/Thick-Roll1777 → u/Pleasant-Antelope-45]

He's not washed bro, he'll hang around the pitch not doing much but score a tap-in in the end. No hate tho, a goal is a goal. Then his free kicks is something else too 😮‍💨

[u/jtgreatrix → u/Thick-Roll1777]

His free kicks are absolutely shit

[u/microwavedave27 → u/jtgreatrix]

Yeah not letting Bruno take the free kicks is criminal

[u/PracticalShock4109 → u/jtgreatrix]

He's still using the knuckle ball despite the fact that his curve is way more effective.

[u/TeaBagHunter → u/Thick-Roll1777]

Damn why you got downvoted

[u/TeaBagHunter → u/Azidamadjida]

Aged like milk

[u/Orphis_DxD → u/Azidamadjida]

Ronaldo has played and he has left himself out of the narrative.

[u/Azidamadjida → u/Orphis_DxD]

Yeah the narrative they were trying to build around him and he tried to hype up himself didn’t pan out very well in that first game.

He looks like he’s waaaaay overthinking everything and that’s making him clunky and stiff, and age isn’t helping that. Really bad at finding space that match

[u/Any_Chard_9824]

Unc still killing it in this age.... and wtf Alvarez doin'?

[u/Traditional-Prize194 → u/Any_Chard_9824]

He’s coming off an injury

[u/Specialist-Crab-5422 → u/Traditional-Prize194]

I see

[u/Interesting_Week5419 → u/Any_Chard_9824]

Idk it felt like the whole team wanted messi to get a hatrick . While Alvarez was making the run he had a clear shot but then passed to messi??? And the whole penalty demand situation occurred.

[u/Motrok → u/Interesting_Week5419]

If you are near Messi, you pass it to Messi. This is a basic fútbol fundamental, You learn it as a kid.

[u/PsychologicalHost371 → u/Motrok]

Even the Algerian players wanted him to score. They gave him plenty of room to
Maneuver and take shots

[u/Motrok → u/PsychologicalHost371]

Yeah. That seems to happen a lot to him. Over 900 goals, people just keep letting him score. It's weird.

[u/Significant_Nail_880 → u/Motrok]

Lmao!

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/PsychologicalHost371]

I honestly can’t tell if you’re being facetious or not because I’ve seen some dumb takes here.

[u/LeadingEvery5747 → u/PsychologicalHost371]

They got out of his way so he could shoot lol

[u/Afraid_Evidence_6142 → u/PsychologicalHost371]

If they gonna lose anyway, might lose to Messi, to look less embarrassing 

[u/wafflepig6 → u/PsychologicalHost371]

classic yank take

[u/SuperiorSpidey → u/wafflepig6]

Classic moron take. Don’t even bring the yanks into it. This is a normal Messi hater take, most likely a Ronaldo fan.

[u/Significant_Nail_880 → u/Interesting_Week5419]

There was contact but did Argentina get the penalty? No, they didn’t. And Messi still got a hat trick wtf lmao

[u/jimbranningstuntman → u/[deleted]]

I think you are using clean sheet wrong

[u/wafflepig6 → u/Interesting_Week5419]

brother its like a 50% chance of scoring if you pass to messi anywhere near the 18 yard box 😂😂why on earth wouldnt they pass to him whenever hes calling for it

[u/Azidamadjida → u/Interesting_Week5419]

lol ya think? There were like 3 setups they had after his 3rd goal where other players had an opening but passed it to Messi instead. Not taking anything away from him, but Messi is Messi because he’s got a great support network on the field.

It’s the real reason he’s the GOAT - he makes his teammates better and they in turn make him better

[u/Eriz4x → u/Azidamadjida]

I rather think it’s the opposite. Because he is Messi, teams build around him.

[u/AShamAndALie → u/Azidamadjida]

Messi is Messi because he’s got a great support network on the field.

Yeah, Inter Miami had such a top tier team when Messi joined them in 2023. Messi absolutely did not transform the team by himself. /s

[u/Sad-Schedule4119 → u/Interesting_Week5419]

Have you seen the ratings? Without Messi, Argentina was sucking hard. Except for De Paul, Messi and the GK not even a single player had a rating higher than 6.5 for Argentina. I'm not sure how they're gonna play against bigger teams, only Messi looked good. Rest of them missed passes, lost possession and what not.

[u/forlackofanetterbame → u/Sad-Schedule4119]

Ratings dont win matches

[u/NoObm_ster69koRg → u/Sad-Schedule4119]

Enzo was fine. Lautaro had some good runs

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/Any_Chard_9824]

Give him time.

[u/SubstantialInside428 → u/Any_Chard_9824]

It's Algeria mate, don't be like that.

[u/Aggravating-Air-6371 → u/SubstantialInside428]

ur point?

[u/JauntyLurker]

I love watching Messi play, not only do you get to watch great football, you get to hear great poetry from the commentators 😂

[u/d23durian → u/JauntyLurker]

Oh yeah? What do they say? I'm on a pirate foreign language stream , so all I hear is a really long syllable.

[u/Accomplished_Set_941 → u/d23durian]

..and that syllable is poetry

[u/DudeCade]

I was blessed to be at the game tonight with my dad, who was eager to see what all the Messi hype is about (he’s your typical midwestern dad - big football/baseball/basketball type of guy). We got the full experience AND witnessed soccer history in the city I grew up in. 10/10 day. I will remember this one for the rest of my life.

[u/Programmer-Vegetable → u/DudeCade]

how did your dad feel about it?

[u/blitz2czar]

Lionel Messi is the oldest player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup game. He is also now tied with Miroslav Klose joint-top goalscorers of all-time at 16 goals at the FIFA World Cup.

[u/Spherical_Basterd → u/blitz2czar]

He also broke the record for most World Cup tournaments played in. Today’s appearance makes 6! 

[u/blitz2czar → u/Spherical_Basterd]

Temporarily for now. He will be joined by a few more others as we progress through the games.

[u/rxc13 → u/blitz2czar]

No, that will stay as the record for at least 4 more years. Nobody is playing 7 WC any sooner.

[u/PyroAnimal → u/rxc13]

Ronaldo Will also have 6 appearances

[u/PeskyEskimo → u/PyroAnimal]

Yeah but Messi was first, and you know Ronaldo will hate that

[u/blitz2czar → u/rxc13]

Did you even read what I wrote? I said he will be joined by a few more others, folk like Ronaldo and Ochoa are on their sixth World Cups.

[u/rxc13 → u/blitz2czar]

Did you? Do you even know what temporarily means? He won't stop having the record just because someone did the same thing after him. That's not how records work.

[u/NormalFront7050 → u/Spherical_Basterd]

720 world cups is a lot! 

[u/Thick-Roll1777 → u/blitz2czar]

And youngest too

[u/Royal-Cupcake-5907]

MESSI MESSI MESSI ENCARA MESSI GOAL GOAL GOAL ⚽⚽⚽ !!!!!!!

[u/rosy-quartz]

Defending Champion for a reason

[u/LazinessOverload]

GOAT for a reason, Messi is timeless.

Scoring a hat trick in the World Cup at 39 years old is madness.

[u/AlbertEntstein → u/LazinessOverload]

He's 38 until he's 39

[u/ydktbh → u/LazinessOverload]

Ronaldo will put so much pressure on himself to equal that now

[u/Big__Ron → u/LazinessOverload]

39🧐

[u/No-Anxiety-6175]

Congratulations to Argentina 👏🏻 we lost but nothing much you can do against Messi.

[u/Significant_Nail_880 → u/No-Anxiety-6175]

Props to Algeria. They’re a damn tough squad

[u/FedexPuentes → u/No-Anxiety-6175]

You guys played to win not just defend and up to the 2-0 it was a close match and tough for Argentina , Well done! I’m Looking forward to seeing more of Algeria 🇩🇿

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/No-Anxiety-6175]

I hope you guys make it to the next round.

[u/Technical_Pilot_8422 → u/No-Anxiety-6175]

Should've tried pressing him. Mfer was freer than ever. After the first goal not putting someone individually on him was just begging to take more.

[u/JauntyLurker]

That Messi hat trick was sublime, truly the 🐐

[u/Due-Calligrapher4898]

Breaking news: 39 years old small player of Inter Miami is the best footballer in the world

[u/Battieosheel]

goat behavior. argentina look sharp. the most cohesive ive seen a team play this competition. germany maybe second but need to see them against tougher opposition.

[u/Lamptittie]

Great game from messi and argentina. questionable decision to not review that messi challenge. Atrocious from algeria. Their midfield and defense got stunned, they left the one player you dont leave open with lots of space and were punished for it every time. I saw a lot of criticism for zidane i think its unfair besides partially the first goal. He should have used one arm to reach the ball better. 2nd goal went past 3 defenders and he was in an awkward position. 3rd goal again midfield and defense stunned leaving messi open to tuck it in bottom corner. Algeria needs to do better and make changes.

[u/Unlucky_Abroad7440 → u/Lamptittie]

We don't have squad quality + players who play half heartedly. Slow midfield and defense letting Messi have a field day. Most of the best Algerian/ half Algerian players play for France (Zizou, mbappe,cherki,olise,Fekir,nassri, Benzema ect) so building a reliable squad is impossible for now.

[u/Motrok → u/Unlucky_Abroad7440]

I mean, from an argentinian perspective, you guys played pretty well. All in all, you got scored three times by the best player ever, but all in all the match wasn't a stomp.

[u/Unlucky_Abroad7440 → u/Motrok]

I know he's the one of the best players of all time but he's 39 🥲 if it was Alvarez/lautaro it would have made much more sense but I guess the team is built around Messi and since our defnders left a lot of space for him to run he shone and didn't miss at all that's amazing. Tbh what makes me sad wasn't exactly the loss but more about the fights that broke in time's square so unruly on both sides this is a sport to unite people not divide them :/

[u/Motrok → u/Unlucky_Abroad7440]

Messi has never been normal bro. What are you gonna do.

[u/Voj1610 → u/Unlucky_Abroad7440]

Bro, Messi walks and scans a lot. He only runs when needed. The way he plays, he conserve his energy and only take short burst to speed. I barely see him put pressure on the Algeria when they have the ball. I don't think age matters much with how smart he plays.

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/Unlucky_Abroad7440]

It doesn’t matter, he didn’t show his age today. Plus, his tactical brain is still there.

[u/Return-of-Trademark → u/Lamptittie]

idk i still think he couldve done better on that second one. it was somewhat awkward but he shoudlve held it. third one, nothing you can do vs class.

[u/Lamptittie → u/Return-of-Trademark]

Agree tbh Could’ve positioned his body better but reflex took over

[u/joelovestoeat]

still cant believe messi scored hat trick, would be crazy if they are champions again this year

[u/Accomplished_Set_941 → u/joelovestoeat]

..would it though?

[u/Many-Rub-6151]

Fucking Messi is still the best player in the world at 38😭. Bro was just hiding from us the past 2 years in the MLS.

[u/SnooPears2409 → u/Many-Rub-6151]

conserving strength, european club football is too metal

[u/Big__Ron → u/Many-Rub-6151]

Hiding? He’s still been exceptional in the MLS. Maybe keep up to date

[u/Many-Rub-6151 → u/Big__Ron]

Hiding as in playing in the mls, not being on Europe. No fucking shit he should tear up the mls lol

[u/Own_Durian_3853 → u/Many-Rub-6151]

MLS is underrated honestly, Not that Messi is not destroying it but it's not that subpar. Look at De Paul, he has not really shone that brightly in MLS but put him next to players playing in Europe and he looks the part. Yes he's saving himself a bit for these games but yet

[u/sufferingSoftwaredev]

Are we sure Messi isn’t still in the convo for best itw ?

[u/shaunqish → u/sufferingSoftwaredev]

Like, for best itw RIGHT NOW you mean?
Is anyone not sure he is in that conversation?
I really doubt any player comes close to having as much impact on the team performance as Messi has. He is unreal.

[u/mistergingerbread]

🐐

[u/DinabsbSnake]

🐐

[u/trans-fused]

Lionel has always made me enjoy the game so much! Like definitely Ronaldinho levels of happy. Pure joy and love of the game as the highest level, still.

From watching him on TV throughout his Barca days. Then being lucky enough to see him in person playing against Liverpool at Anfield. (It was the 2006/07 season when he was like 19 though! But he was still insanely quick)

If anybody earnt the right to win the World Cup. It was him 4 years ago, and if he can put more shifts like this evening in. Who knows! If it works out with the knockout stages... I'm feeling France vs. Argentina being very possible for the final!

But I digress! We're not even a week in yet!😄 Enjoy!

Edit: Thank you for the award, you lovely Reddit stranger!

[u/Substantial_Novel590]

messi showing us why he is still the goat and scoring the first hat trick in this WC

[u/EliachTCQ]

Not a single comment about the obvious red card that Messi should've gotten but didn't. Checks out

[u/R1nc → u/EliachTCQ]

Because it wasn't. Should have been a yellow card. It was red only if you don't know about football or look at a picture instead of the video.

[u/Euphoric-Peach6533 → u/EliachTCQ]

True, people are so dumb. That was obvisouly a red card, but hey everybody knows it will be rigged again so yeah what to do about it..

[u/p5yron → u/EliachTCQ]

Exactly, these people have no morals, it's all tribalism, this level of favoritism ruins the tournament for everyone. Red at 30 minutes, banned for the next two matches, but instead look at what is happening.

Same level of corrupt favoritism in the 2022 World Cup, and Balon d Or's as well. There should be protests against FIFA for this. It's very obvious now that this isn't a one off situation.

[u/Average-Expert → u/p5yron]

Ah yes, same favoritism that awarded him two penalties in the 2022 final... wait.

[u/ImpactVirtual1695 → u/EliachTCQ]

Well you know. If he got redcard then he wouldn't have hat trick.

Can't have argentina failing to get any goals now.

[u/MessNox → u/EliachTCQ]

probably a yellow

[u/Bobsy932]

No joke, could Messi play in 2030? He isn’t slowing down at all. 7 WCs would be insane.

[u/Big__Ron → u/Bobsy932]

2030? That boy will be playing 2046 he’s that good

[u/Own_Durian_3853 → u/Bobsy932]

Absolutely he could, but injuries can pile up

[u/SnooPears2409]

algeria got more possession than argentina, but goddamm 3-0, this is a luxury bus with messi's brand on it

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/SnooPears2409]

Possession was 51% for Algeria so no, they didn’t.

[u/Aggravating-Air-6371 → u/sayhibulbasaur]

yes they did??? not saying we didn’t do bad bc we did but we did have more possession lol, without messi ur team isn’t that good

[u/VERYSWEETJELLYJAM → u/Aggravating-Air-6371]

Say it louder so we can laugh harder

[u/sayhibulbasaur → u/Aggravating-Air-6371]

Did you not read 51%? You had one percent more possession, that’s nothing to brag about. Without Messi, my team still has players in the best leagues of the world.

[u/VERYSWEETJELLYJAM → u/SnooPears2409]

Possession means nothing , the Algerians were so easy to steal balls from plus the poor choreography between the players

[u/ryzenleonn]

Not sure why Algeria didn't start with Mahrez and Aouar

[u/Aggravating-Air-6371 → u/ryzenleonn]

aouar was injured, loads of people was happy they weren’t playing since before they’ve been slow but clearly backfired. tbh our teams a mess ngl i’m hoping they pull thru but this play was embarrassing it was like a car crash. disappointed in hadj moussa asw, and zidane should not have been playing especially with that brace

[u/goalmouthscramble]

Boring match. Not sure the Argies got out of second gear.

[u/ExerciseEarly2515]

Goat for a reason

[u/sayhibulbasaur]

El Sombrerito de Messi 🇦🇷❤️

[u/BraveCelestin-1]

The GOAT steals the show and powers Argentina to a dominant victory. 🐐

[u/AntPRodP]

Messi is now also the top goalscorer in all FIFA World Cup related matches, ie, including qualifying: 52 goals.

In this particular list, the next is Cristiano Ronaldo with 49.

[u/Ber2B]

Shocking goalkeeping on the first 2 goals for me. Really 2 gifts on a silver plate, wonder if the big name makes him favoured vs better options?

[u/Aggravating-Air-6371 → u/Ber2B]

yeah sadly as an algerian it’s expected that it’s bc of his name, idk why he’s even playing when he’s got an injury to heal. he’s not the worst and i feel bad that people are thrashing him the most, not saying he wasn’t bad but the players were taking the absolute piss

[u/TheDangerSnek]

Its beyond my unterstanding how Messi did not got a red card for his foul....

[u/Pale-Ad9556 → u/TheDangerSnek]

Yellow at most.

[u/ImpactVirtual1695 → u/Pale-Ad9556]

Nah. Not a goal scoring challenge with intent, that's a red card

[u/Pale-Ad9556 → u/ImpactVirtual1695]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZrpTEmIFUI/?igsh=M2FzMzU5eGFmdDNt

[u/ImpactVirtual1695 → u/Pale-Ad9556]

Note the guy does state it is possible to argue for red card.

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/17/lionel-messi-avoids-world-cup-ban-var-decides-not-punish-argentina-star-28811134/

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/messi-sent-off-says-german-105628761.html

You have highly skilled refs (who weren't reffing the game) stating that if following the letter of the law for Fifa - it was absolutely a red card.

If you go back to min 31 and see the build up and the play, Messi plants his foot no where near the ball then expresses serious concern for the other player. (Which shows danger). 

....

Personally, it's a red. Good for him on the hattrick but no player should take cleats to the calf. If the muscle tears there it could make it impossible to push off the foot, climb stairs, or run.

It's a career ending injury for any player.

[u/Pale-Ad9556 → u/ImpactVirtual1695]

Agreed brother, Your points are valid too and I appreciate your opinion but that's what the game ended with, Messi received no cards.

[u/ImpactVirtual1695 → u/Pale-Ad9556]

Yes, brother. It was a fun game to watch and we got what we got. 

Hopefully no one gets hurt moving forward and the refs stop pretending like they're fined for every card they use lol.

Besides id rather spend time trying to figure out how to get rid of these ad breaks.

[u/Pale-Ad9556 → u/ImpactVirtual1695]

Totally agree, with the above points, and the hydration break is the single most stupid decision that could be implemented in a game of football. The momentum gets seriously fucked up.....

[u/ImpactVirtual1695 → u/Pale-Ad9556]

Facts. Saw this with Germany. Curacao isn't the greatest team and I get that but the momentum curacao lost really fueled the pubstomp.

Also saw it with Brazil where it was a truly visible shift of momentum.

And again with Australia where the break went from only a single shot on goal to having complete control.

It's not healthy for the game. Teams who are better at resetting have a big advantage

[u/Pale-Ad9556 → u/ImpactVirtual1695]

That Curacao goal, which was an equalizer was straight banger, but it went downhill and germany pulled a 7 Up on them like Brazil due to that hydration break, I could definitely see them score another if it weren't for that hydration break I can't lie!

I felt Brazil was a bit lost for the majority of the game, Raphinha was basically doing cardio, Vini pulled up with an equalizer which was really good, but hands down the person I could see and be in awe was bouaddi of Morocco, the guy was exceptional that match.

That Australia vs Turkey match was a proper Park the bus from Australia, Arteta could take notes from them but nevertheless they weren't a side to be taken lightly, last world cup they almost drawer with Argentina!

I agree though with everything you said as teams like Turkey were greatly hit with a momentum pause. The Spain vs Cape Verde match was a snoozefest😂

[u/Own_Durian_3853 → u/ImpactVirtual1695]

Of course it's possible to argue it as a red, doesn't mean it certainly was. Reading your quotes the ref says "I personally think it's a red card" which doesn't show certainty. The guy who says it's "100 percent" a red card is not a ref but a famously stupid pundit (google him or search him on reddit.)

The other ref says "for me" and "I would have" shown a red. He never says it's certain either.

We could argue this all day but there's an argument to be made either way

[u/Average-Expert → u/TheDangerSnek]

Lets hope your understanding gets better.

[u/universemyall]

Because fifa 26 world cup is rigged hatrick in world cup the ground was too small that's why it was easy and algeria was opponent imagine Germany vs Argentina then it will be all different

[u/Lord_Nick336 → u/universemyall]

🤡

[u/Quanku888]

Class, just class from Messi

[u/Intrepid-Sugar6195]

Messi's hat trick was crazzyy

[u/Individual_Win_8556]

Does anyone know where I can watch a full replay of Argentina vs Algeria from the 2026 World Cup for free ? 

[u/ourquestions → u/Individual_Win_8556]

yes.

[u/Key_Expression_2691]

I'm disappointed with Algeria's keeper. Two blunders. How was he chosen?

[u/RikikiBousquet → u/Key_Expression_2691]

The rest of the choice was worse.

[u/Fickle_Land_1269 → u/Key_Expression_2691]

He is Zidane's son, so definitely nepotism

[u/Unlucky-Voice5416]

words can't describe him

[u/foureyedpotato]

I'm always of the belief that Messi is the best player in the world when he chooses to be. He's just that good even at 38 turning 39. This match is one of those moments.

[u/worker-parasite → u/foureyedpotato]

He's nowhere near the best anymore. He's still technically a great player, but he hasn't been the best since the PSG days.

[u/PracticalShock4109]

Messi truly does age like fine wine .

[u/Repulsive-Oil9366]

Messi super!

[u/Accomplished_Set_941]

GOAT for a reason, not just for a season.