Luca Zidane blamed for all three goals in Algeria's loss to Argentina

Luca Zidane experienced a painful World Cup baptism: starting in goal for Algeria against Argentina, the Granada goalkeeper was blamed for all three goals in the 3-0 defeat, just days after being praised for his performance against the Netherlands in a warm-up match.

From the fifteenth minute, Zidane failed to cleanly block a Lionel Messi shot from the edge of the box, gifting the opening goal. In the second half, he poorly parried a long-range effort from De Paul, allowing the former Barcelona player to double the lead. The third goal came from another twenty-meter strike, on which the passivity of Algeria’s defense also bore some responsibility, but which the goalkeeper could have contained.

The website DZ Foot, which gave him a rating of 3.5, summed up the general sentiment: “He had regained confidence and the supporters with him after a very good match against the Netherlands. Tonight, his responsibility is engaged on all the goals. He could have done better, much better.” On X, reactions were far more cutting: “It’s a catastrophe”, “He’s only in the squad because of his name”, “Talent isn’t inherited”, or “He managed to provide two assists for Messi”.

Footage filmed in the stands also fueled the commentary: it showed Zinedine Zidane, his expression dark, seemingly reacting to the second goal conceded by his son. The father, who had himself begun his World Cup with a 3-0 — but a victory, against South Africa in 1998 in Marseille — did not hide his distress.

Luca Zidane, born in Marseille like his father, was wearing the Fennecs jersey for the first time in a World Cup final phase. The parallel ends there: while Zinedine was crowned world champion a few weeks later, his son must now contend with criticism that questions his place in the Algerian starting eleven.