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Argentina keep finding ways to survive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It hasn’t always been pretty but it’s been effective and their 3-1 win over Switzerland punched their ticket to the semifinals where England now awaits.
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The goal everyone will be talking about came from Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid forward picked up the ball about 22 yards out and curled it beautifully past Gregor Kobel and into the top corner. It was the kind of finish that stops you mid-sentence.
But Alvarez wasn’t the only Argentina player drawing attention on the night.
Messi and the Portuguese Referee: What Was Said?
Lionel Messi had a brief but noticeable exchange with Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro following a Switzerland free kick. The Argentina captain was seen pointing his finger toward the official and speaking with some intensity, clearly making a point he felt needed to be made.
His words were picked up and reported by CentreGoals.
“Speak to me properly. Don’t disrespect me. Speak to me properly; I spoke to you properly,” Messi told the referee.
| Lionel Messi to Portuguese referee Jõao Pinheiro:
“Speak to me properly. Don’t disrespect me. Speak to me properly; I spoke to you properly.” pic.twitter.com/gTDzpRR6A4
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 12, 2026
The moment got plenty of attention on social media and among fans watching the game.
“If this was Ronaldo, BBC and ESPN will have a new Social Media challenge on right now,” one fan stated.
“And what did the ref said that was so “disrespectful” to messi? Messi can call anything that he considers disrespectful,” another wrote.
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“Messi always keeps it classy even when he’s fuming lol. Respect the game, respect the players, simple as that,” another fan added.
“You don’t tell the referee how to speak, he’s in charge bro,” one of the fans commented.
“Any other player would have been walking down the tunnel after what he did,” another fan shared his feelings.
That said, Pinheiro didn’t reach for a card. Whatever was said stayed between them and the game moved on without any further incident.
It was a flash of emotion from Messi in a high-stakes knockout match. Nothing more came of it and Argentina came away with the result they needed. The semifinals against England are next. That one won’t need much buildup.
Related: Lautaro Martinez Escapes Red Card Suspension After Argentina’s Win Over Switzerland
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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 7:01 AM.