Alexis Mac Allister and Lionel Messi have been involved in some World Cup controversy, with Algeria lodging an official complaint to FIFA regarding decisions involving the pair
15:50, 20 Jun 2026
Alexis Mac Allister in World Cup action for Argentina.
Alexis Mac Allister in World Cup action for Argentina.(Image: Bill Barrett/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was on the winning side in Argentina's opening World Cup fixture, in which Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for the South Americans in a 3-0 victory.
But the clash with Algeria was not without controversy, with the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak making some high-profile calls involving the pair that did not go down well with the African side.
Twenty-seven-year-old Mac Allister escaped a card for a challenge on Ibrahim Mazan, while Messi could have been sent off for a nasty-looking tackle on Aissa Mandi’s Achilles tendon, with the Inter Miami star also avoiding a booking.
"It’s pointless commenting on hypothetical situations, but everyone saw it, including me," Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic said after the match.
Now, according to The Athletic, the Algerian FA has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, expressing its dissatisfaction at how the game was officiated.
Alongside Inter Miami's Rodrigo De Paul and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool man Mac Allister looks set to be a key player in the center of the field for Argentina.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after Lionel Messi's first goal for Argentina against Algeria.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after Lionel Messi's first goal for Argentina against Algeria.(Image: Fernando Leon/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Also in the world champions' group are Austria and Jordan. Argentina takes on the former next, on Monday evening at 6pm UK time (1pm ET).
"Well, it was what we expected and necessary, obviously," Mac Allister told DAZN after the win on matchday one.
"We had the experience in the last World Cup when we started perhaps not in the best way and ended up winning.
"We know how important it is to start by winning, to gain confidence. And well, we were able to do it well. We played against a great rival.
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"I think they were underestimated a little bit, but we never did. We know they are very good, and, well, at times we didn't have ball; we had to defend and suffer, but the important thing is that we won with an incredible performance from Lio.
"While there were some injuries, they was also time to work and continue improving, so we're all doing well. We're happy to be here, enjoying the moment, and hopefully it will be a great World Cup."
Liverpool.com says: Messi, certainly, could have been sent off. Complaining about refereeing decisions, though, won't change that. Algeria can feel hard done by but there is nothing that can be done now.