Argentina's controversial run to World Cup semi-finals from Lionel Messi avoiding red to 'one-sided' claims

Argentina's run to the World Cup semi-finals has been full of controversy, with claims that decisions have gone largely in their favour.

From Lionel Messi's high-footed challenge to claims of referees being "one-sided", the world champions have had the lion's share of refereeing decisions go their way.

England face Argentina tonight at 8pm, and while there is no definitive answer to the claims, it does feel that Messi and his team-mates have received some rather fortunate decisions during the tournament so far.

GB News analyses five incidents at the 2026 World Cup that have gone in Argentina's favour.

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Lionel Messi avoids red card

Arguably the biggest talking point is Lionel Messi avoiding a red card after a stamp in Argentina's first group stage match against Algeria.

The superstar's left foot was very high on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi, laying his studs into the back of the full-back's calf.

Algeria were awarded a free-kick, and a red card looked nailed on, but the incident was not reviewed by VAR, and Messi got away scot-free.

The North African side lodged a complaint to FIFA over the officiating, also alleging that Alexis Mac Allister elbowed Ibrahim Maza.

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Austria unhappy with officials after Alexis Mac Allister challenge

Austria manager Ralf Rangnick was left fuming after Alexis Mac Allister's strong challenge was not given as a foul before Messi's opening goal.

The Argentine midfielder appeared to foul Xaver Schlager, but no free-kick was awarded, and VAR did not feel the need to intervene.

Rangnick said: "For the first goal, I would've asked the fourth official to do what he did before the penalty kick.

"He should have looked, and he would've seen what everyone saw: a foul on Schlager. It was annoying."

Egypt hit out at Fifa over being 'treated unfairly'

Egypt hit out at Fifa after their contest against Argentina, accusing the governing body of being "treated unfairly" in their last-16 contest.

The North Africans had numerous decisions go against them, including a goal being ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the "attacking phase", despite it occurring by Egypt's corner flag.

In the build-up to Argentina's goal, Mohamed Salah was brought down inside the box after being clipped by Julian Alvarez, but VAR did not feel it necessary to review the incident.

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan hit out at the officials, saying: "It could be a matter of marketing, they could want to make a World Cup with the champion of the last World Cup, they want Messi to exist [at the World Cup].

"Why isn't there any fairness in sport? In football? I do not want to try to put it nicely here with beautiful wording. We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice.

"Referee, not fair. Unjust, unjust referee. An unjust person. An injustice that is so clear. He's wasting the effort of an entire nation. Since the beginning of the game, we were leaving the game winning 2-0 against Argentina. But the cup has already been given."

Switzerland accuse referees of being 'one-sided'

Switzerland accused the referees of being "one-sided" in their quarter-final against Argentina.

The main talking point was Breel Embolo's departure, who was sent off for a second bookable offence after diving.

Referee Joao Pinheiro was then told by the VAR to check the incident, overturning the yellow card he gave to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and sending off Embolo, through Fifa's new "mistaken identity" rule.

Several Swiss players hit out at the officials after the game, feeling that the red card was unjust.

Granit Xhaka said: "If you have to lose because of one decision from the referee, it's painful, but it was his decision. It's difficult to accept now after a game because the dressing room was very quiet, disappointed. If you are disappointed after the game against this Argentina team, it shows a big mentality.

'The rules are the rules, and we can't change them, but it's a decision where you kill the game. That's my opinion. I don't know what else he can do but just don't kill the game. We were so good in the game. I believed that at 11 versus 11 we would have had them, but it's very difficult to find the right words after the game."

Defender Manuel Akanji said: "When you have the referee against you, it becomes difficult. Every little thing was called against us.

"Every dive and every foul by the Argentinians went unpunished. I don't usually say anything against the officials, but I've never experienced such a one-sided game as today."

No punishment for political chanting

Argentina's players received no punishment after singing songs about beating England "for the Falklands".

The players were filmed dancing and chanting: "For the Malvinas, For Diego, For Leo's last one."

Malvinas is the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands, where 649 of their soldiers lost their lives during the 1982 conflict when Argentina attempted to seize the British-controlled territory.

After defeating Switzerland in Kansas City, Messi and his team-mates also joined supporters in another chant.

"And you see it, and you see it; anyone who doesn't jump is an Englishman," players and fans sang whilst bouncing together.

The fixture tonight renews one of football's most intense international rivalries, with the two nations having not met on the pitch for over two decades.

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