Story perspectives

Messi’s Late Goal Sparks Antisemitic Fixing Conspiracy Online

7/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Within hours of the match, an antisemitic conspiracy theory alleging a cabal to rig the game spread online.
Lionel Messi’s last-minute goal gave Argentina a comeback win over Egypt, secured a quarter-final against Switzerland, and extended his World Cup all-time scoring record.
The theory claimed Messi, Argentine President Javier Milei, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and FIFA conspired to fix the match and said French referee François Letexier was Jewish.

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Story summary

Within hours of the match, an antisemitic conspiracy theory alleging a cabal to rig the game spread online.
Lionel Messi’s last-minute goal gave Argentina a comeback win over Egypt, secured a quarter-final against Switzerland, and extended his World Cup all-time scoring record.
The theory claimed Messi, Argentine President Javier Milei, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and FIFA conspired to fix the match and said French referee François Letexier was Jewish.