If it was Messi everyone would be demanding a red card

Fans reacted to France attacker Michael Olise escaping a potential yellow card for a poor tackle in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final with Spain at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, on Tuesday (July 14).

Olise, 24, appeared to slide his left boot onto La Roja captain Rodri‘s left leg but went punished by the ref. Luis de la Fuente’s side lead at half-time, thanks to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty just before the first hydration break, following Lucas Digne fouling Lamine Yamal in the bos.

The Touchline tweeted a picture of Olise’s boot making contact with Rodri’s left leg, with fans wondering if it was Lionel Messi instead of the Frenchamn, there would have been calls for a red:

“If it was Messi everyone would be demanding a red card,” one tweeted.

“If that was Argentina u would be saying robbery already,” one posted.

“If this was Argentina 🇦🇷… The RIGGED shouts would be flooding the internet,” another commented.

“I can’t believe Olise get away with this…. Because it is not Argentina or Messi,” another posted.

Les Bleus have work to do going into the second period, with captain Kylian Mbappe enduring a forgettable half, managing no shots, making 1/5 dribbles and 1/6 tackles, while defender William Saliba had to be subbed off due to injury.

How has France’s Michael Olise fared at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

France attacker Michael Olise has had a fabulous 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, registering six assists in as many games coming into the semi-final with Spain on Tuesday.

Playing his first World Cup, the Bayern Munich attacker announced his arrival with a pair of assists in the 3-1 campaign-opening victory over Senegal before repeating the trick in the 3-0 win over Iraq, which sealed Les Bleus’ passage to the knockouts.

Olise was at it again in the Round of 32, delivering two assists in a 3-0 win over Sweden, assisting Bradley Barcola’s strike and Kylian Mbappe’s second of the night. The Real Madrid man has been the beneficiary of an Olise assist four times this season.

Didier Deschamps’ side, though, have work to do after going behind for the first time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Deschamps looking to become the first man to take his side to three finals.