Qatar 2022: Final game was given to Argentina before kick-off – Aghahowa

Former Super Eagles international, Julius Aghahowa has slammed officials of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final for handing Argentina a penalty in the first half of the game.

Lionel Messi scored from the spot after Ousmane Dembele was adjudged to have fouled Angel Di Maria in the vital area.

Aghahowa insisted Di Maria was not touched at all in the buildup to the penalty

“He [Di Maria] wasn’t touched. The game has been given before it was played,” Aghahowa said on Brila FM.

“In such a game, shouldn’t it be checked by the VAR? This is clearly [a] demonstration that the World Cup was meant to be handed to Argentina and particularly, Lionel Messi.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s unfair.”

Messi put Argentina ahead from the spot while Di Maria made it 2-0 for the South Americans in the first half.

But France returned stronger in the second half With Kylian Mbappe firing twice in 90 seconds to drag the game into extra time.

Messi put La Albiceleste in front again in the extra-time second half but Kylian Mbappe levelled for France to send the game into a penalty shootout where Argentina ran away 4-3 winners.