Furious fans have called out the referee of Sunday's final clash between Argentina and France for awarding a controversial penalty in favor of the former. The supporters were left in disbelief after Angel Di Maria had the decision going his way following an apparent trip, resulting in Lionel Messi scoring his sixth goal of the tournament.
France had the worst possible start to the match and eventually paid the price for their poor performance inside the first 20 minutes. On the right flank, Di Maria had made life uncomfortable for both Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde and the Juventus star made a significant break through by getting rewarded with what many deem to be a questionable penalty.
The 34-year-old managed to dribble past Dembele close to the French penalty box and took a tumble to the ground after making a soft contact with the foot of the Barcelona winger. The match referee Szymon Marciniak immediately pointed to the spot, awarding Argentina their fifth penalty of the World Cup - the most by any side in a single campaign in the history of the competition.
Ousmane Dembele fouled Angel Di Maria as Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
Was it the right decision? #BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SIvVmTDQLe
Lionel Messi subsequently stepped up to convert the chance for his sixth goal of the tournament, climbing to the top spot of the goalscorer's chart as a result. However, the turn of events has since sparked a debate on social media, with some supporters claiming that the penalty should have been reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee before being made to stand.
Below are a few reactions:
I'm not against Argentina but man this penalty is soft. Never a penalty. It might be rigged after all LMFAO
— Aubazettes (@Aubazettes_) December 18, 2022
I saw someone tweet a few days ago that France will have to score at least 2 goals to win since Argentina will obviously be awarded with a penalty.
— Agam (@agambi7) December 18, 2022
It's sad how right he was
Don't get me wrong Argentina have been better but that is never a penalty. Not even a VAR check pic.twitter.com/tSyOQVIupl
— Amit Zohar (@amitttrmfc) December 18, 2022
This is a penalty right? Rigged World Cup for Messi and Argentina pic.twitter.com/BfniPizOJE
— ADOFO ASA (@_adofoasa__) December 18, 2022
Like with the Croatia game, Argentina fans will tell you to simply minus the penalty and they still win with the score-line knowing fully well detrimental dubious penalties out of nowhere change the flow of the game completely.
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) December 18, 2022
This is the most Rigged World Cup of all time! This is the easiest penalty I've ever seen!!
— KDC COMEDIAN (@im_kdc) December 18, 2022
France Vs Argentina Fifa World Cup pic.twitter.com/fVyjla0vBX
Everything Messi has won is so controversial and is being forced. Two Ballon d'Ors he didn't deserve that belong to lewandowski and now Argentina gets a penalty per game and you think this is not rigged??? No way #ArgentinaVsFrance #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/DdiC9IcMeZ
— Nikki (@nikkicruiser) December 18, 2022
France has to score 2 or more goals today cos the game will already start with an Argentina penalty
— EbabyKobby (@ebabykobby) December 18, 2022
Penalty in the Quarter Final.
— Monsieur LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) December 18, 2022
Penalty in the Semi Final.
Penalty in the Final.
Ladies and gentlemen, the legacy of Messi, Argentina and FIFA in the World Cup.