The Algeria national football team has filed a complaint to the FIFA disciplinary committee, protesting several refereeing decisions that led to their 3-0 loss to Argentina in the World Cup. The Algerian complaint focused on an incident in the first half, where Argentine captain Lionel Messi stepped on the leg of Algeria captain Issa Mandi, prompting widespread calls for Messi's expulsion. The complaint also objected to a challenge by Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who allegedly elbowed Algeria's Ibrahim Maza in the face during the second half. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was close to the incident, and his decisions, along with the video assistant referee team led by his compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski, raised many questions. The Messi incident sparked debate on social media, with opinions divided on whether he should have been punished, and some suggesting that his global star status may have influenced the refereeing decision. Meanwhile, South Africa coach Hugo Broos cited the incident in discussing the three-match ban of his team's midfielder Thembha Zwane after his red card against Mexico, saying he saw no significant difference between the two cases.