Argentina captain Lionel Messi avoided a red card during his side’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the FIFA World Cup, prompting debate over the consistency of refereeing decisions at the tournament.

The controversy emerged after Messi appeared to make contact with Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi during a challenge. Several analysts and fans said the incident should have resulted in a red card, while the referee did not issue a card and there was no major visible intervention from VAR.

ESPN analysts were among those who questioned the decision, saying the challenge was serious enough to warrant a sending-off. The incident drew further attention because Messi remained on the field and later completed a hat-trick in Argentina’s victory.

Replays of the challenge were widely shared on social media, where users debated whether the decision reflected poor officiating or preferential treatment for high-profile players. Some fans also claimed FIFA wanted to protect the possibility of a major Messi-Ronaldo meeting later in the tournament, though no evidence has been presented to support that allegation.

The debate has added to wider scrutiny of refereeing standards and VAR use at the World Cup. Critics said similar challenges by other players have often resulted in stricter punishment, while others argued that the referee’s interpretation of the incident should be respected unless VAR identifies a clear and obvious error.

Messi’s performance remained central to the match. The Argentina captain scored all three goals as the defending champions opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria.

The incident is likely to remain a talking point as FIFA and match officials face continued pressure to ensure consistency and transparency in disciplinary decisions throughout the tournament.

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