Argentine Lionel Messi and Algerian Rayan Ait Nouri compete for the ball during a World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo)
Algeria filed a complaint with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) regarding what it described as “arbitral injustice” during its first defeat in the FIFA World Cup against Argentina, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a source in the Algerian Football Federation.The complaint centers on an incident related to Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who injured Algerian defender Issa Mandi in the calf after a challenge from behind in the 30th minute of Tuesday’s match, but the card was not shown.Messi had already put Argentina ahead before the challenge and then went on to score a hat-trick. Algeria supporters demanded that the striker be sent off after his challenge with Mandy, but no disciplinary action was taken and Messi remained on the field.Agence France-Presse quoted the source in the federation as saying: “The complaint primarily relates to Messi’s intervention, which deserved the red card in everyone’s opinion.”“There were also two incidents at the facility…both of which warranted expulsion.”The source added, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse: “We are not saying that the Argentine team was not strong, but we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice.”“There were three very clear incidents, and the VAR did not intervene.”
Messi’s hat-trick saw him tie Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.Algeria will face Jordan in its second match in Group 10 on Monday before facing Austria on June 27. While Argentina will play Austria in Dallas on Monday.Algeria are aiming to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for only the second time in their history, having previously qualified for the round of 16 in 2014 before losing in extra time to eventual champions Germany.