Many refereeing decisions have been criticized after the meeting between Argentina and France. Back to the most contentious game facts of this World Cup final.
What is done is done. No turning back possible, Argentina is world champion thanks to its victory against France (3-3, 4 tab to 2). But this final, perhaps the most beautiful of all, was also distinguished by its management at the level of arbitration. On several actions, the referee of the meeting, the Pole Szymon Marciniak, took some contentious decisions. Back to the most significant facts.
Dembélé’s fault on Di Maria for the first penalty (22nd)
At the 22e minute, Di Maria caught Dembele on his left side before entering the area. The midfielder of Juventus slows down his run and Dembélé comes back at full speed, unbalancing the Argentinian. penalty. At real speed, it seems indisputable. But when you see the images in slow motion, the contact seems very light. The penalty is not outrageous. On the other hand, it is difficult to understand why the VAR did not advise Mr. Marciniak to view the images in slow motion.
Rabiot’s tackle on Rodrigo de Paul (55th)
Litigation was present on both sides. At the 55e minute, Adrien Rabiot makes a very nasty tackle on Rodrigo de Paul. In slow motion, we can clearly see the leg of the Argentinian in a pincer movement in those of the Frenchman. The Atlético de Madrid midfielder is going to take a while to recover, and it’s no wonder. The Juventus midfielder received a yellow card, but perhaps deserved to take the red.
Red card for Otamendi on the penalty? (79th)
At the 79e minute, Randal Kolo Muani gets the better of Otamendi by passing in front of the defender on a through ball. First a hand on the shoulder, then an imbalance in the legs, the penalty is final. The question now is: was there a red card? According to the rule, If the player pushes, pulls the jersey or belts an opponent, or if he commits a gross foul that could harm the physical integrity of his opponent, it is the red card that will prevail. “. In any case, the Polish referee did not exclude the Argentine defender.
The advantage not left to Coman (90 + 8th)
at 90+8e minute, Argentina badly negotiates its last corner. Kingsley Coman collects the ball close to his box and launches a counterattack with two teammates in front of him. The Bayern winger is mowed down by Marcos Acuna and gets up in stride for the action of the last hope. But Szymon Marciniak decides not to let the advantage.
The third Argentinian goal should have been refused (108th)
No one had seen it live but this action aroused strong reactions after the meeting. Indeed, on Messi’s second goal in the 108e minute, the Argentinian’s substitute teammates were on the pitch. Being more than 30 meters from the action, they have no direct consequence on the goal, but according to paragraph 9 of Law 3 of the game the rule is clear: “If, after a goal is scored, the referee realizes before play resumes that an additional person was on the pitch when the goal was scored, the referee must disallow the goal if the person was: a player, a substitute, a substituted player, a sent off player or an official of the team that scored the goal. The game must then resume with a direct free kick from the place where the extra person was. »
Tacle of Paredes south Camavinga (114e)
Paredes, him again. At the 114e minute, the former Parisian midfielder cut Camavinga on a very strong tackle. From Paredes in short. If he received a yellow card, the sole was very rough, and perhaps deserved the red card.
The hand of Upamecano ? (116e)
Again, no one saw it at real speed. On the last penalty obtained by Mbappé in the 116the minute, Montiel’s elbow clearly blocks the ball. But was there another hand just before? On the corner of Kingsley Coman who brings this opportunity, it is Dayot Upamecano who deflects the ball towards Mbappé. The gesture of the defender is not controlled and according to the angle of the camera, one would think that the Bavarian deflects the ball with his hand.
Otamendi and Romero end the match without cards
Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero are doing well. For the first city, the fault mentioned above during his intervention on Kolo Muani could have earned him an exclusion. For Romero, he is remembered for his charge on his club teammate, Hugo Lloris. In the 9th minute, the Argentinian hits the goalkeeper of the Blues, the elbow forward in the stomach. The captain of the France team will also remain for long seconds on the ground, visibly affected during this impact, gasping for air.
