The Argentina-Australia referee: Lionel Messi’s bad statistics and a bitter memory with the national team

FIFA has appointed Poland’s Szymon Marciniak as the main referee for this Saturday’s match between the Argentina and Australia team at the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium, for the round of 16 of the Qatar World Cup 2022. The 41-year-old referee awakens a bitter memory for the Albiceleste and, above all, for Lionel Messiwho records with him a terrible statistic on the pitch.

Marciniak conducted the Albiceleste for the only time in the Russian World Cup 2018. It was nothing more and nothing less than in the poor debut against Iceland. The story is well known: Sergio Agüero opened the scoring 19 minutes into the first half and, just four minutes later, Alfreo Finnbogason equalized in the Euros.

Those led by the questioned Jorge Sampaoli had several opportunities to get back on top. The clearest was from Leo, in charge of kicking the penalty sanctioned by Marciniak just before 20′ of the second half. As for Poland this Wednesday, Messi could not celebrate from 12 steps. The result finished 1-1.

However, the Ten of Rosario had known Marciniak for a long time. And the memories weren’t pleasant at all: the Pole had done justice in two of the great victories Leo has received during his career.

The first was on February 14, 2017, Valentine’s Day. Paris Saint Germain beat Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the 2017 Champions League round of 16. Two of the Parisian team’s goals were scored by Ángel Di María.

In the rematch, now without Marciniak as referee, the Catalan club reached the epic and qualified after a historic comeback. They start by winning 3-0, but Cavani scores on the 7th minute of the second half. Due to the away goal, Barcelona needed three more goals to qualify.

The first came two minutes before the end of regular time thanks to a pinpoint free-kick from Neymar, who converted the penalty just two minutes later. Deniz Aytekin granted 5 minutes off. With just 20 seconds to go before the final whistle, Sergi Roberto scored the heartbreaking goal that gave them their ticket to the next echelon.

In the first match of the quarterfinals of that edition, the referee was still Marciniak. Yet, Messi conceded a victory. Paulo Dybala scored two goals and was protagonist of the victory of Juventus against Barcelona 3-0 in Turin.

Upon returning to Spain, the Pole was not the referee. However, this time Barcelona could not reverse the story. A goalless draw saw them knocked out of Europe’s top continental competition at club level.

This Saturday from 4pm Messi will be looking to win his first match against Australia with Marciniak on the pitch and qualify for the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022.