Rangnick Questions Opening Goal After Messi-Inspired Argentina Defeats Austria

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick acknowledged the undeniable greatness of Lionel Messi after his team's 2-0 defeat to Argentina, but not without questioning the legitimacy of the opening goal. Messi, nearing his 39th birthday, scored twice against the world champions, with his first strike in the 38th minute and a stoppage-time clincher sealing Austria's first loss of the group phase.

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If someone is 39 years old and can score two goals and five overall at the beginning of the World Cup, that makes a difference.

"If someone is 39 years old and can score two goals and five overall at the beginning of the World Cup, that makes a difference," Rangnick said of Messi, who also had an early penalty overturned by VAR. "We knew he was on a level of his own and Lionel Messi showed he's one of the best, or even the best."

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We knew he was on a level of his own and Lionel Messi showed he's one of the best, or even the best.

However, Rangnick focused his critique on the refereeing for the first goal. "For the first goal, I would've asked the fourth official to do what he did before the penalty kick, he should have looked and he would've seen what everyone saw, a foul on (Xaver) Schlager," he stated. "It was annoying."

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For the first goal, I would've asked the fourth official to do what he did before the penalty kick, he should have looked and he would've seen what everyone saw, a foul on (Xaver) Schlager.

Despite the contentious first goal and the overall result, Rangnick was largely satisfied with his team's performance. "I'm overall satisfied with my team and I agree with how they played today," he said. He noted that Messi requires very few opportunities to decide a match, and while Austria had already secured three points from their opening win against Jordan, they remain in contention for a knockout stage spot heading into their final group game against Algeria. Rangnick also praised his team's control of the game, particularly in the second half, stating, "We were in control of the ball, most people didn't expect us to be that much in control. I think in the second half we put in a top performance."

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It was annoying.