World Cup: That’s a joke, embarrassing – Carragher hits out at VAR over Lionel Messi’s penalty

 

Former England defender, Jamie Carragher has slammed the video assistant referee for awarding a ‘ridiculous’ penalty to Argentina during their 2-0 win over Poland in the World Cup on Wednesday.

The 2-0 win over Poland ensured Argentina’s place in the round of sixteen despite losing their first game of the tournament to Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi rose to head a cross, with Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny coming out to punch the ball.

And in the process, the former Arsenal goalkeeper touched Messi’s face and referee Danny Makkelie decided to award a penalty to the Argentina superstar after a long check of VAR.

It was, however, pointless as Szczesny saved the spot-kick from Messi to keep the game goalless at half-time, but Shearer and Sutton were fuming over the decision which they saw as embarrassing.

Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher tweeted: ”That is a joke, that is never a penalty! Embarrassing VAR.”