Lionel Messi escapes red card in World Cup clash with Algeria

In the 31st minute of Argentina's World Cup match against Algeria, Lionel Messi stepped on defender Aïssa Mandi's Achilles tendon. Referee Simon Marchionak (Shimon Marcinjak) judged the incident a foul but issued no card, and VAR did not intervene. The decision sparked criticism, with former Venezuelan international Alejandro Moreno calling it “100 % a red‑card offence” and questioning the lack of a yellow warning. Algerian coach Vladimir Petkovic declined to comment further, noting he had seen the replay but would not discuss hypothetical sanctions. Public reaction on social media was divided, with many fans and pundits arguing that at least a yellow card was warranted, while others viewed the contact as accidental. The controversy will be revisited ahead of Argentina's next group‑stage games.