FIFA World Cup 2026: Algeria lodge complaint alleging Messi should have been sent off

Lionel Messi. Pic/AFP

Algeria have lodged a complaint with FIFA over "refereeing injustice" in their 0-3 World Cup loss to Argentina, particularly a tackle by Lionel Messi, an Algerian football federation source told AFP.

Messi caught Algeria's Aissa Mandi on the calf with a studs-up challenge from behind in the 30th minute of Tuesday's match but was not booked.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner went on to score a hat-trick. "The complaint primarily concerns Messi's challenge, which deserved a red card," said the federation source.

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