Controversy has erupted following Lionel Messi's historic 17th World Cup goal during Argentina's match against Austria, raising questions about a refereeing error. The incident has drawn criticism from former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who claims that Messi's goal should not have counted due to a foul that went unpunished.

Match Overview

In their second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Messi's two goals in the match not only contributed to the win but also marked a significant milestone in his career, as he surpassed Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. This achievement comes in his sixth World Cup appearance, with Messi having previously scored a hat-trick against Algeria in the opening match of the group stage. With this victory, Argentina has already qualified for the Round of 32 with six points, regardless of the outcome of their next match against Jordan.

Refereeing Controversy

Schmeichel voiced his concerns about the officiating during a segment on US "Fox Sports," stating that Messi's opening goal in the 38th minute should have been disallowed. He highlighted a foul committed by Alexis Mac Allister against Xaver Schlager, arguing that the referee's failure to award a free kick was a clear oversight. "Messi's goal should have been disallowed. Mac Allister kicked Schlager from behind," Schmeichel asserted, emphasizing that the video assistant referee (VAR) should have intervened to correct the mistake.

The controversy has sparked outrage among fans, many of whom took to social media to express their frustration. Comments included accusations of corruption within FIFA, with some fans questioning why VAR was not utilized to review the foul against the Austrian player. "It's a fraud," one fan remarked, while others echoed sentiments of "disgust" over the perceived preferential treatment given to Argentina.

As the debate continues, Messi's record-breaking achievement remains overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the officiating, raising important questions about the integrity of the tournament.