The FIFA World Cup final between France and Argentina ended with the South Americans beating the defending champions 4–2 on penalties. Although Argentina outscored the French for most of the game, Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick turned the game into a spectacle, with the penalty shootout ultimately deciding the game. However, after Argentina lifted the trophy, controversy erupted when it was claimed that Lionel Messi’s second goal (in extra time) was illegal. However, the FIFA World Cup Final referee has now broken his silence on the matter.
Leading French publication L’Equipe had written an article: “Why Argentina’s third goal should not have been awarded”. The article stated: “An extra person was on the field at the time the goal was scored: the referee must disallow the goal if the extra person was: a player, substitute, substituted player, sent off player or match official . team that scored the goal; play must be restarted with a direct free kick from the place where the extra person was.”
Speaking to the media, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak suggested that while French publications were crazy about Argentine substitutes entering the field before the goal was awarded, they did not mention French substitutes doing the same for one of Mbappé’s goals in the match.
“The French did not mention this photo, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the field when Mbappé scores a goal,” he told Polish media, as suggested by Express UK.
Szymon Marciniak, the referee for the World Cup final, has responded @lequipe‘s criticism that Lionel Messi’s second goal should not have counted:
“The French have not mentioned this photo, where you can see seven Frenchmen on the field when Mbappé scores a goal.” pic.twitter.com/MW6y73iiLN
— Zach Lowy (@Zach Lowy) December 23, 2022
During a press conference, Marcinak held up his phone and showed a photo of some French substitutes entering the field of play just before one of Mbappé’s goals.
However, the referee admitted that he had made one mistake in the final.
“Of course there were mistakes in this final. I interrupted the French counter-attack after a bad tackle from Marcos Acuna,” he told Sport .
“I was afraid that the fouled player wanted to relax, and I misread it because nothing happened, and you could give an advantage and then come back with a card. It’s hard. In a game like this is such a mistake I take in the dark. The main thing is that no major mistakes were made,” he added.
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