Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has criticised the referee for allowing a goal scored by Lionel Messi during FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting the strike should have been disallowed due to a foul in the build up.
Schmeichel argued that there was a clear infringement on Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager during the passage of play that led to the goal, stating that the referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) failed in their duties.
Speaking on FOX Sports, Schmeichel said the incident should have been stopped earlier.
“I don’t believe that goal should have counted. Consider how they reached the [penalty] box; it was a kick from behind on Xaver Schlager.
“This constitutes a free kick, as Mac Allister brought the player down. That should have resulted in a free kick. VAR should have intervened. This is a clear and obvious error by the referee, and I feel somewhat frustrated because of it.”
Messi, however, overcame an early missed penalty to score in the 39th minute, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s long standing World Cup record of 16 goals.
The Argentina captain later added a second goal in the closing stages of the match to secure a 2 0 win and extend his tournament tally to 18 goals.
