Luca Zidane concedes hat-trick to Messi after promising defensive solidity and attacking ambitions

Luca Zidane endured a nightmarish evening in Kansas City: starting in goal for Algeria in his first World Cup match, the 28-year-old goalkeeper conceded a hat-trick from Lionel Messi during the Fennecs’ heavy defeat to Argentina (3-0) in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

The performance of Zinédine Zidane’s eldest son was far from blameless. On the opening goal in the 17th minute, his positioning was judged questionable. At the hour mark, he released the ball directly into the feet of the Inter Miami striker, who did not hesitate to score the second goal. Ten minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick (70th).

What makes his case worse are his own words spoken just hours before kick-off. “We know that not conceding a goal is already a big step in a match,” he had said. “We will try to be solid defensively and, with the attacking qualities we possess, we will be able to hurt them.” The Granada goalkeeper was the first to fail to keep this promise of solidity.

The backlash is immediate on the media front: criticism is pouring in from Algeria, and the contrast between the pre-match discourse and the reality on the pitch fuels the harshest commentary.

The Fennecs, eliminated at the first hurdle if we go by this result alone, will have the chance to respond next Tuesday against Jordan. Luca Zidane will be under scrutiny.