French newspaper: 'Messi's goal broke the law'
In the 108th minute, Lautaro Martinez shot from a narrow angle to hit French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Messi was present at the right time to kick back, helping Argentina rise to a 3-2 lead. Before the Argentine captain finished, his two teammates from the bench ran into the field to wait to celebrate.
L'Equipe quoted Article 9, Rule 3 of the FIFA Rules of Football to argue that the referee should not recognize Argentina's goal. The passage reads: "After a goal, if the referee realizes that someone has entered the field from outside before the goal is scored then: The referee must cancel the goal if the outside player is a player, an alternative Thus, the player has been sent off or a member of the coaching staff of the team has scored".
The French newspaper said that, instead of recognizing Argentina's goal, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak should give France a free kick. On social networks, many French fans also shared the view that FIFA did not comply with the law in this situation.
However, according to the latest version of football rules, applicable to the 2022-2023 season issued by the International Football Association (IFAB), Argentina's above goal is valid because the referee only intervenes if the player from outside the field to affect the course of the match.
"If the ball is in the net and outside interference does not prevent the defending player from contesting the ball, the goal will be awarded," the rules read.
From Brazil, the daily Globo also supports this view, and cites a similar situation that occurred in the Copa Libertadores 2020, in the match between Palmeiras and Atletico-MG. At that time, reserve striker Deyverson Brum Silva Acosta entered the field while Gabriel Veron made a cross for Dudu to score for Palmeiras. Atletico-MG then appealed to the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), but was denied by the Head of Disciplinary and Complaints Eduardo Gross Brown. In fact, even during the match, the VAR referees checked whether Deyverson interfered with the ball before conceding the goal.
On the Lusail field, Argentina dominated France and led 2-0 after the first half, thanks to the goals of Messi and Angel Di Maria. By the 70th minute, the students of coach Lionel Scaloni still made the opponent unable to finish. But things turned around very quickly. Kylian Mbappe shined with two consecutive goals in 80 and 81 minutes. Then, France took advantage of strength and fitness to put pressure on Argentina.
In a difficult situation, Messi shined with the goal to make it 3-2 in extra time. But in the 118th minute, Mbappe completed his hat-trick to equalize 3-3. It was not until the penalty shootout that Argentina defeated France 4-2, thanks to the excellence of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
