ENGLAND fans are convinced that Argentina’s winning goal in the World Cup semi-final should have been disallowed for a foul on Djed Spence.
The reigning world champions to book a place in their second successive final.
England fans believe Argentina’s winning goal should have been disallowed for a foul on Djed Spence
No Foul ❌ No VAR Check ❌ Goal Allowed ✅ https://t.co/1vQDS6A98R pic.twitter.com/JC2qp4HwuL
— SENYO (@Senyyo) July 16, 2026
cancelled out the opening goal from with a strike from outside the box.
And in added time, fired home the decisive header to send through.
However, some fans were quick to spot a potential foul on from – who got the winning assist – in the build-up to the goal.
Messi appeared to accidentally catch the foot of the full-back with his own while attempting to win the ball.
Spence was able to stay on his feet after the 50-50 challenge and looked to close the eight-time winner down.
However, Messi was able to get the cross into the box for Martinez to score the winning goal.
Fans took to social media to react to the incident, with one person writing: “Messi’s stamp on Spence before Lautaro’s goal, why does VAR only work when the goal is against Argentina?”
Another commented: “How was that not called as a foul.”
While a third said: “Spence should have gone down and rolled around here, worked for them all game.”
England went on to lose the match 2-1 in Atlanta.
The Three Lions will now take on in a third-place play-off on Saturday while face in the final.
At full-time, England manager said: “Argentina played with more risk, played with more rhythm and played with the feeling maybe that they had nothing to lose any more, which freed them up and pulled us back.
“Because we obviously played suddenly with a feeling that we had a lot to lose.
“Of course the responsibility is on the coach and if it doesn’t go well it’s easy to say it was wrong.”