Ex-refs chief disagrees with Peter Schmeichel after re-analysing Lionel Messi controversy

Lionel Messi's record-breaking World Cup goal against Austria in Argentina's 2-0 win on Monday has come in for scrutiny.

The Inter Miami star scored his usual left-foot finish coming inside from the right to open the scoring in the 38th minute for La Albiceleste at Dallas Stadium on 22 June.

Argentina ended up scoring another in second-half stoppage time as the former Barcelona captain took his World Cup goal tally to 18, two ahead of Miroslav Klose.

However, in the build-up to Messi's opener, Peter Schmeichel felt Xaver Schlager was fouled by Alexis Mac Allister and VAR should have intervened, but former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes there was no need for a review since Amin Omar didn't make a mistake.

The Liverpool star did indeed make contact with the Austrian midfielder, but the on-field official seemed to be in the perfect position to see whether there was an infringement.

In the end, the Argentine captain's goal stood and he's made more history in football as he aims to win back-to-back World Cup titles with his nation.

Schmeichel believes Messi's goal shouldn't have stood because of a "clear and obvious mistake" from the Egyptian referee.

Speaking on FOX Sports at half-time, the former Manchester United goalkeeper said, "I don't think that goal should have stood. This is a free-kick, Mac Allister has kicked the player down. That should have been a free-kick. Var should have taken that back. That is a clear and obvious mistake by the referee."

However, Hackett disagrees with that notion, suggesting that Schlager tried to make the most of Mac Allister's challenge, and insists that, with football being a contact sport, such incidents are bound to occur.

Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA official said, "Football is a contact sport and players in challenges for the ball do come together and contact happens. The Norwegian player clearly was trying to win a free kick by falling down slightly backwards.

"I can fully understand why the referee, from his position, took no action. Messi goes on to score. I support why there was no VAR intervention because the referee had not made a clear and obvious error."

As things stand, Harry Kane is on 10 World Cup goals for England, level with the likes of Peru's Teofilo Cubillas and Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta.

The Bayern Munich star has the ability to break into the top five of the record goal scorers list, with Bavarian legend Gerd Muller sitting on 14.

Ronaldo Nazario, Klose, Kylian Mbappe and Messi could potentially be joined by Kane soon as the Three Lions hope to win their first major trophy since 1966.