Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday sparked widespread debate over an incident before the winning goal, raising the fresh questions about the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions, similar to those raised after the world champions' match against Egypt.
Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final for the second consecutive tournament after coming from behind to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta, United States.
However, Argentina's second goal, scored by striker Lautaro Martínez with a header from a cross by Lionel Messi, drew attention to the use of VAR during the tournament. Television replays appeared to show contact in which Messi seemed to step on Spence's foot before the goal.
The England defender appeared to be in pain for a moment before continuing to play. He later complained about the leg on which he was standing rather than the leg that Messi was said to have stepped on. The defender remained in play until the Argentina captain delivered the cross that led to the goal and did not appeal to the referee.
The debate intensified because VAR did not intervene, unlike in Argentina's Round of 16 match against Egypt. In that match, VAR intervened to disallow a goal that would have given Egypt a 2-0 lead after alerting the referee to a foul on the opposite side of the pitch at the start of the move, which had not been given at the time.
Mexican newspaper Record commented on the incident, saying the difference in the application of the rules between the two matches has become the main talking point. In the Round of 16, a distant infringement was reviewed to disallow a goal, while in the semi-final play continued despite contact involving Messi inside the penalty area. The newspaper said the incident has divided opinion in sporting circles as the tournament nears its conclusion.
