The closing stages of the World Cup final were overshadowed by controversy after Wayne Rooney accused Lionel Messi of attempting to have Spain defender Marc Cucurella dismissed during a heated confrontation.
The incident sparked strong reactions from pundits, who questioned the Argentine captain’s conduct during one of football’s biggest occasions.
Late Flashpoint Turns Final Into Heated Contest
Tensions escalated dramatically in the final minutes of normal time after Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on Spain’s Pau Cubarsi.
The dismissal left Argentina with 10 players and immediately triggered a confrontation involving players from both sides.
As emotions boiled over, several players became involved in a heated exchange while officials attempted to restore order.
Messi Reacts to Exchange With Cucurella
During the commotion, Marc Cucurella was seen speaking toward Lionel Messi.
The Spanish full-back briefly placed two fingers across his mouth while continuing the conversation, prompting an immediate response from the Argentina captain.
Messi quickly signaled to the referee, appearing to suggest that Cucurella had committed an offense worthy of disciplinary action.
FIFA Rule Brings Added Controversy
The appeal centered on a tournament rule that allows referees to send off players who deliberately cover their mouths during confrontational situations.
The regulation had already been enforced earlier in the competition, with Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie both receiving red cards for similar actions.
Despite Messi’s appeal, match officials chose not to punish Cucurella.
Neither the referee nor the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) deemed the incident serious enough to warrant intervention, with the exchange appearing relatively calm rather than overtly confrontational.
BBC Pundits Condemn Messi’s Actions
The incident drew immediate criticism from BBC’s commentary team as the match headed into extra time with Argentina reduced to 10 men.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart expressed disappointment at what he witnessed.
He argued that seeing a player of Messi’s stature attempt to influence the referee in that manner reflected the pressure Argentina were under, adding that he did not enjoy watching the episode unfold.
Former England defender Micah Richards also weighed in, saying that a World Cup final should not be decided by players being dismissed over incidents of that nature.
Rooney Labels Appeal “Desperation”
Wayne Rooney delivered the strongest criticism of the evening, describing Messi’s actions as an act of desperation.
The former England captain said Argentina have long been known for pushing the limits in high-pressure matches but insisted that sportsmanship should remain a priority on football’s biggest stage.
Rooney concluded that it was disappointing to see a player of Messi’s reputation attempting to have an opponent sent off under those circumstances.
Debate Over Gamesmanship Continues
Although the referee ultimately ignored Messi’s appeal and Cucurella remained on the pitch, the episode quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the World Cup final.
The incident reignited debate over gamesmanship, player conduct, and the interpretation of FIFA’s disciplinary rules, with Rooney and several fellow pundits arguing that such appeals detract from the spirit of the game even in the highest-pressure matches.
