Algeria’s federation has formally challenged FIFA over key decisions in Argentina’s World Cup opener, reigniting debate around Lionel Messi’s performance and the role of VAR.

Argentina's first game in the 2026 World Cup was a historic one. Star Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick. In the process, he tied Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most goals in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi’s first match of the 2026 World Cup brought a hat-trick, a historic sixth tournament appearance and a disputed first-half challenge that one former referee says should have led to a red card.

Lionel Messi scripted history with a hat-trick against Algeria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 but many fans feel he should've been sent-off for a clumsy challenge.

Despite the fantastic show and praises that followed, the talisman finds himself caught in a red card controversy, which many online argued Lionel Messi escaped.

The refereeing analyst for MARCADOR was very critical of the Polish referee's performance during the Argentina-Algeria match and believes he should have sent off the Argentine captain

Lionel Messi caused controversy during Argentina's opening World Cup game versus Algeria after getting away with a studs-up challenge before scoring a hat-trick

A day after his FIFA World Cup 2026 debut, slow-motion replays fueled a dilemma about how a referee should have disciplined Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi enjoyed a historic night as Argentina dispatched Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener, but the victory was marred by a controversial incident that left fans and pundits questioning the officiating.