Argentina vs Austria

[Eton White]

Watching the Argentina - Austria game at the moment and saw the early penalty awarded against Austria.

For me, it was definitely a penalty as at least one of the two Austrian defenders who challenged Martinez made contact with him, and both of their challenges could be deemed to be "reckless".

Listening to Danny Murphy's commentary though, he was convinced it wasn't a penalty as one of the defenders "got the ball after he touched the player".

Am I misunderstanding the penalty rule, or is Danny Murphy talking out of his rear end?
Surely it's a penalty if you take a player out, regardless of whether you get to the ball or not?

Messi completely fluffed the penalty so it amounted to nothing in the end anyway, but I'd be interested to know what others think.

[JimmyConway]

Watching the Argentina - Austria game at the moment and saw the early penalty awarded against Austria.

For me, it was definitely a penalty as at least one of the two Austrian defenders who challenged Martinez made contact with him, and both of their challenges could be deemed to be "reckless".

Listening to Danny Murphy's commentary though, he was convinced it wasn't a penalty as one of the defenders "got the ball after he touched the player".

Am I misunderstanding the penalty rule, or is Danny Murphy talking out of his rear end?
Surely it's a penalty if you take a player out, regardless of whether you get to the ball or not?

Messi completely fluffed the penalty so it amounted to nothing in the end anyway, but I'd be interested to know what others think.

Not sure I would agree the part where you say take him out! For me take him out would be more a cynical or upended foul but perhaps we see it differently.There is contact there will always be contact in that situation but I thought the No 4 gets the ball first and not sure the ref takes that into consideration.
Both those defenders are looking to get the ball but with Var unless you are spot on with challenge majority of the time there given especially abroad. Football is more contentious nowadays whether a good thing or not I tend to lean towards the latter. I would do away with Var tomorrow and go back to the good old days where you can debate it until the cows come home in the pub after the game? Win some Lose some.

[Eton White]

You're right, they probably didn't exactly "take him out" in this particular situation, but they did make contact so I think it was the right decision.

[Eton White]

Another two goals for Messi. 18 World Cup Finals goals now and surely more to come - incredible!

[Southcoastffc]

There was a certain inevitably about the 2nd goal. When he received the ball on the right touchline I said to my wife that he was ging to score.  He nearly proved me wrong though!

[Steeeeeeeeeed]

Messi's second goal really shows what a difference he makes for the team.

He did a great run to get on the ball, and served up what should have been an easy goal for his colleague.

His colleague missed, and then another colleague missed on the follow up... Luckily Lionel popped up to finish it off.

Shame he didn't score with that free kick at the end, but it was close.

To me Maradona was always the greatest player of all time, but What Lionel is doing makes it hard to argue against him, he is amazing and has been for 20+ years.

[cmg]

To me Maradona was always the greatest player of all time, but What Lionel is doing makes it hard to argue against him, he is amazing and has been for 20+ years.

Another reason to savour the World Cup. Make the most of watching this so talented little man. He won't be around for much longer.