France supporters have poked fun at Manchester United defender Raphael Varane after his backside appeared to cost them for Argentina's third goal – but many eagle-eyed fans have seen proof that the Lionel Messi strike should not have stood.
The South Americans looked like they were going to cruise to the trophy after first a Messi penalty and then a smart finish from former United man gave Argentina a 2-0 lead at the break. However, the game turned on its head within 90 seconds.
Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France from the penalty spot with 11 minutes remaining before unleashing a superb volley to take the match into extra time. It was in this extra 30 minute period where some France supporters have taken issue with Varane.
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As Lautaro Martinez receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, VAR replays showed that United's man was keeping the Argentinian substitute onside with his backside. Martinez would have his shot saved by Hugo Lloris but Messi was on hand to force the ball home.
One French fan compared the moment to Diego Maradona's Hand of God, tweeting: "Hand of God vs Varane’s a**."
Meanwhile, another wrote: "Varane’s a** kept him onside. Man needs to chill on those squats."
While the light-hearted teasing of Varane was in good humour, many French supporters will be less than impressed that the Argentina goal was allowed to stand at all. As reported by the Mirror, before Messi bundled his shot across the line, two subs in orange bibs can be seen encroaching on the pitch.
As official FIFA rules state: "If, after a goal is scored, the referee realises, before play restarts, that there was an extra person on the field of play when the goal was scored the referee must disallow the goal." Unfortunately for France, this was not spotted at the time.
Mbappe would end up cancelling out this controversial goal from the spot before extra time was concluded to send the game to penalties. Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel would score the all-important penalty after Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed.
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