It seemed as thought the entire footballing world, fans and pundits alike - everyone bar Argentinians - felt that justice was done when Lionel Messi had his spot kick saved against Poland this evening.
Wojciech Szczęsny produced a magnificent stop to deny Messi, after the referee had sided against the Polish keeper in his decision to award the spot-kick.
Szczesny had leaped in the air to bat away a cross, but missed the ball and in the process made contact with the face of Messi, whose header went wide.
After a lengthy VAR check, the referee felt that - despite Messi being hit after his header had missed - Szczesny had committed a foul.
Given that Szczesny only had eyes for the ball, and the contact did not affect Messi's header, people were disgusted by the decision from VAR.
Messi Penalty Miss After Controversial VAR Decision
🇵🇱 0-0 🇦🇷
Szczęsny with a breathtaking save from Messi's penalty. Can Poland weather this Argentinian storm?
📺Watch live now on @rte2 & @rteplayer : https://t.co/JYf06cJLAe
📱Live updates: https://t.co/fXjiUrw7Ay#FIFAWorldCup #POLARG #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/pISEONs15i— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 30, 2022
Here is what VAR saw… the slow mos and stills make the contact to Messi’s face look far heavier than it was. A poor decision to award a penalty and justice done. pic.twitter.com/36idJCAtYk
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 30, 2022
When Messi grabbed the ball and went to the penalty spot before the VAR check had even commenced was low-end behaviour of the first order, Argentine players then surrounded ref, who looked under pressure. Never a pen, justice served, great save.
🇵🇱 v 🇦🇷 @TheAthleticFC— Adam Leventhal (@AdamLeventhal) November 30, 2022
That is a joke, that is never a penalty! Embarrassing VAR @FIFAWorldCup #POLARG
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 30, 2022
Ah come on man that’s never a pen. #POLARG #VAR #crap
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) November 30, 2022
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