Vargentina
Exhibit BArgentina 1–2 Saudi Arabia — World Cup 2022, Group C10

The First Soft Door Opened

Retro trial — Qatar 2022, Argentina's opening match. Ten minutes in, Leandro Paredes went down during a set-piece wrestle in the box. The VAR sent Slavko Vinčić to the monitor, and Argentina had an early penalty. Messi scored, Saudi Arabia eventually shocked the world anyway, but the internet remembered the opening act: one soft hold, one early spot-kick, one first entry in the file.

The facts, as presented
Decision
Penalty awarded (VAR review)
Referee's call
No penalty given live; awarded after on-field monitor review
VAR involvement
VAR recommended review for holding on Paredes during a set piece
Outcome
Messi scored the penalty; Saudi Arabia came back to win 2–1

You are the juror. Cast your ruling.

The evidence

Clip hosted by its original publisher.

Results reflect fan opinion, not verified wrongdoing.