Peter Schmeichel reckons Lionel Messi's record-breaking World Cup goal ought to have been chalked off due to an Alexis Mac Allister foul. The Argentina legend surpassed Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time top scorer with his opener against Austria.
Messi had capped off a superb team move to fire Argentina ahead and net his 17th World Cup goal. However, former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Schmeichel insists the strike should have been disallowed for a foul by Mac Allister earlier in the build-up.
Speaking to Fox Sports, he said: "I don't think that goal should have stood. Think about how they get the penalty, this is a kick from behind through Xaver Schlager.
"This is a free kick, Mac Allister has kicked the player down. That should have been a free-kick. Var should have taken that back. That is a clear and obvious mistake by the referee. And for that I feel a little bit frustrated."
Even if the goal had been disallowed, it would scarcely have mattered, with the 38-year-old also finding the net in stoppage time.
Reflecting on his record-breaking performance, he said: "I'm tired and I'm running on fumes. It's hard to think. But I'm enjoying this moment and looking forward to being with my teammates.
"It's been spectacular how it has all unfolded. I had the penalty, which could have increased my tally or not. But perhaps the others wouldn't have come, you never know. I'm happy with the team."
Teammate Julian Alvarez was equally effusive in his admiration. He said: "He continues to demonstrate, even at his age, that he has the talent and all his magic. There's not much to say. We all see it, he's the best in the world.
"It gives us peace of mind for what's to come. This is the World Cup, everything is very close and very intense. That's why we're happy to have earned six points and already secured qualification."
Yet it was not entirely plain sailing for Messi, despite the veteran etching his name further into the history books. He had a gilt-edged opportunity to claim the record outright early on after Argentina were awarded a penalty, only to fire his effort wide of the mark.
Messi and Argentina will face Jordan in their final group stage fixture, having already booked their place in the next round. They could be confirmed as group winners before morning should Jordan fail to overcome Algeria.