World Cup – Is Lionel Messi’s Argentina favored by arbitration?

It’s a little chorus that goes up. A way of sometimes turning away from its own limits but also of putting the finger on a burning subject: the arbitration of Argentina in this 2022 World Cup. After their exit from the road in the quarters against Morocco, Pepe and Bruno Fernandes had complained about being refereed by an Argentinian before implying that everything was done to help Lionel Messi and his Albiceleste in his quest for eternity.

Mardi, the refrain was taken up by the Croats, cheated according to them by the absence of a corner on a strike from Perisic and surprised by the decision to whistle a penalty on Julian Alvarez on the action that follows. Factually, it should be remembered that no country has obtained more penalties than Argentina on this World Cup (4).

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So we tried to check the consistency of these whistles with two former professional referees: Philippe Malige and Bruno Derrien, now a consultant for New World Sport. “In the introduction, without being corporate, I can tell you that there is nothing that shocks mefirst explains Philippe Malige, referee in L1 and L2 between 2000 and 2012. If the dominant idea is to say that there is an imaginary penalty that has been whistled, I might as well tell you that I don’t see any“.

1) The penalty against Saudi Arabia

The situation : Argentina’s first match in this World Cup and first penalty. On a corner kicked by Messi, Leandro Paredes falls into the area after a collision with Saud Abdullah Salem Abdulhamid (6th). At first, the main referee does not whistle before being alerted by the VAR. After consulting the images, Slavko Vincic whistles a penalty.

The opinion of Philippe Malige : “There is fault. Leandro Paredes is surrounded and held back in the area by a defender. In these kinds of situations, there are so many duels that the referee can get through. But when the VAR offered him the images, he did not hesitate“.

The opinion of Bruno Derrien : “Good bah there, there is fault, it is undeniable on the pulling of jersey“

Review the action (1’13”):

2) The penalty against Poland

The situation : Third match of the Argentinians in this World Cup, decisive for the qualification and the first place of the group C. 36th minute: while the score is still nil and blank, Marcos Acuna crosses in the direction of Lionel Messi at the far post. The Argentinian captain hits the ball with his head but his recovery flies above the Polish goal. In the aftermath, Wojciech Szczesny, late on his outing, touches Messi’s face with his hand. After consulting the VARDanny Makkelie grants a penalty to Argentina, finally brilliantly saved by the Polish goalkeeper.

The opinion of Philippe Malige : “For me, the goalkeeper never touches the ball and hits Lionel Messi’s face. That Messi’s header is missed does not come into play… The goalkeeper gets a hole in his exit and touches his face. The reflection is on the fault, not on Messi’s head. When we say ‘it’s severe’, it’s because we can consider that it might not be hissed. There, the fault is proven“.

The opinion of Bruno Derrien : “For me, this penalty is extremely severe. There is no desire to hurt Messi. It’s a clumsiness but, for me, there is debate“.

Szczęsny’s exit on Messi, bringing the penalty against Poland

Credit: Getty Images

3) The penalty against the Netherlands

The situation : Quarter-final with a knife against the Netherlands. 70th minute: Argentina lead (1-0) and Acuna invites himself into the Dutch area. After a hook on Denzel Dumfries, the Argentine side collapses. Penalty for the Albiceleste, transformed by Messi.

The opinion of Philippe Malige : “There, the only possible trap is on the location but they are well inside the surface. The defender is caught on the wrong foot and sweeps Acuna. no discussion“.

The opinion of Bruno Derrien : “Again, obvious penalty. The only question is whether it is in the surface but it is. Even if it’s on the line, it’s considered the penalty area“.

Denzel Dumfries and Marcos Acuna just before their contact in the Dutch box

Credit: Getty Images

4) The penalty against Croatia

The situation : Semi-final against Croatia which built its plan on its defensive solidity. 31st minute: after a pricked shot from Perisic which goes over, the Croats claim a corner. Ball goes out of play for a Argentine goal kick. On the action that follows, Enzo Fernandez launches Julian Alvarez in depth. The Argentinian center-forward comes up against Dominic Livakovic, tries a recovery which bypasses the Croatian goalkeeper but which Lovren ends up clearing. In the extension, Alvarez hits the support leg of the opposing goalkeeper, out to meet him but late on the case. Penalty whistled, Messi transforms and Argentina makes it easier to reach the final.

The opinion of Philippe Malige : “It’s a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Alvarez pushes the ball with it, perhaps the idea of ​​recovering it behind, and the goalkeeper hits him and prevents him from going further. For me, the referee felt that the goalkeeper tried to challenge the ball, hence the penalty of a yellow card“. And on the corner refused to the Croats?: “The VAR has no jurisdiction over these actionsAs a reminder, video assistance can only intervene on goals, penalties, direct red cards or to verify the identity of a penalized player.

The opinion of Bruno Derrien : “Live, we have the feeling that the goalkeeper hits the attacker. In slow motion, we realize that he can’t really do otherwise. It’s less obvious on slow motion but the fact that he shows a yellow card proves that he thinks the goalkeeper is late. Until a few years ago, with the double penalty, the goalkeeper should have taken a red card because he annihilates a clear chance“.

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