Di Maria Under Immense Pressure: Was Argentina Penalty Kick The Correct Decision? Posted on December 18, 2022December 18, 2022 by Vaishnavi Andhare In the 2022 World Cup final, Argentina led France 2-0 at the half as they sought their first World Cup victory since 1986. With a goal each in the first 45 minutes, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria have emerged as Argentina’s leaders in Lusail. However, a significant moment of contention occurred in the early going when Di Maria was brought down by an Ousmane Dembele challenge inside the French penalty area. Softest penalty ever given? |#ARG #ArgentinaVsFrance #WorldCup #FRA #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ih991BlrQi — Swift Kicks ⚽️ (@realSwiftKicks) December 18, 2022 Messi converted the fourth penalty of Qatar 2022 after Polish referee Syzmon Marciniak pointed to the spot, although controversy has surrounded the call’s validity. Lionel Messi really took the 'no international trophies' comments personally 🍵 pic.twitter.com/uD0bcYocCg — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022 Di Maria Under Immense Pressure: Was Argentina Penalty Kick The Correct Decision? In the World Cup final on Sunday in Qatar, Lionel Messi scored the opening goal to give Argentina the lead against the defending champions France. After it was determined that Ousmane Dembele had fouled Angel Di Maria, a penalty kick was awarded. Was the choice, however, the right one? Di Maria drove into the box and appeared to be anticipating a foul from behind as he outran the Barcelona winger on the left. LIONEL MESSI HAS COMPLETED FOOTBALL 🐐 pic.twitter.com/IvDeNtckee — B/R Football (@brfootball) December 18, 2022 Di Maria was knocked out after a little collision with Dembele. Hugo Lloris was sent the wrong way, and Messi took the penalty without error. Perez Burrull said on Radio MARCA, “It’s a classic instance of an attacker trying to defend and giving up a penalty.” Lionel Messi and his family 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cnlrd8d7cn — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2022 “Dembele brings Di Maria down and it’s a correct decision to give the penalty.” Messi, in scoring, made history by becoming the first player to score in the round of 16, the quarter-final, the semi-final and the final of a World Cup. As Dembele proclaimed his innocence and Di Maria experienced a favourable ruling, social media erupted with controversy about the verdict. https://twitter.com/i/status/1604500464682569730 FOR MORE SPORTS UPDATES- NBA NFL MLB