Schmeichel Critiques Referee Over Messi's Controversial Goal

Peter Schmeichel, a Manchester United icon, expressed frustration regarding the referee's decision to validate Lionel Messi's record-breaking goal against Austria. Schmeichel contended that the goal should not have been allowed, citing a foul by Xaver Schlager during the sequence leading to Messi's goal.

He discussed this on Fox Sports, stating that the referee overlooked a clear foul by Schlager and that VAR failed to fulfill its responsibility to maintain alertness regarding the incident. Schmeichel emphasized that he did not believe the goal should count, considering that Schlager's actions constituted a free kick.

Messi scored the goal in the 39th minute, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals, contributing to Argentina's 2-0 victory and increasing his tally to 18 goals.