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Lionel Messi Alleged Foul Controversy: Should Argentina’s Second Goal Against England Have Been Disallowed?
The winning goal that sent La Albiceleste into the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is still sparking debate. What happened?
Argentina’s second goal against England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal—Lautaro Martínez’s strike in the 90th minute plus stoppage time (90+2')—became the subject of controversy, with Lionel Messi at the center of the debate. But why did the discussion intensify a day after La Albiceleste secured its place in the final?
THE PLAY
“El Toro” headed the ball toward the far post to beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after a cross from Messi on the right wing. The goal sparked celebrations among Argentina’s players, who completed an epic and dramatic comeback in Atlanta, Georgia, to book their place in the World Cup final.
Thomas Tuchel’s players, exhausted after a demanding match, looked frustrated by the defeat, but there were no major complaints on the field.
THE CONTROVERSY
The debate on social media began after claims circulated that Messi stepped on England defender Djed Spence’s right leg with his left foot while competing for the ball, following a challenge that sent Alexis Mac Allister into the left post.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender protested the incident, fueling criticism online, particularly from those who have questioned Messi and Argentina throughout the tournament.
Moments later, Messi delivered the cross that allowed Lautaro Martínez to score the decisive 2-1 goal.
Using as a reference the controversial challenge by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martínez during Egypt’s disallowed goal against Argentina in the Round of 16, some argued that the goal should have been ruled out due to a previous foul and called for consistent officiating.
WAS THERE A FOUL? HERE'S THE DEBATE
After several videos of the play circulated online, opinions remained divided. Some argued that it was not clear whether Messi stepped on Spence, which is why the incident was not reviewed or overturned. However, others claimed that the Inter Miami player stood on Djed’s foot for five seconds.
What is certain is that the play has led to different interpretations, similar to the controversial stomp involving “Licha” against Egypt, and the alleged foul is far from clear.
A photo of the incident was later shared showing what appeared to be Messi committing a foul on the England defender. However, its authenticity has been questioned, as the image was likely manipulated using artificial intelligence, a growing issue in today’s digital landscape where misinformation can spread quickly.
What do you think? Was there a stomp?
Argentina’s journey to this stage of the tournament has generated strong opinions and debate, to the point where incidents like this have fueled further discussion.
The controversy raises a broader question: Has Argentina been treated fairly throughout the World Cup, or is it reasonable to question its achievements despite misleading content being used to criticize the team?
