World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak admitted that he made one mistake during the final match that may have cost the French dearly. A few days after the World Cup, Szymon Marciniak - who officiated as referee in the final encounter - has hit back at claims that Lionel Messi's extra-time goal against France should have been disallowed. The final between France and Argentina ended with the latter beating the defending champions 4-2 on penalties. After Argentina won the trophy, a controversy broke out on the legitimacy of Messi's second goal (in the extra-time). The French media raised questions on a number of calls taken by Marciniak, with leading French publication L'Equipe running an article titled, 'Why Argentina's third goal shouldn't have been awarded'. Speaking in Poland last week, Marciniak rejected many of the French criticisms, but admitted he made a mistake that cost the French at some point. "Of course, there were mistakes in this final. I interrupted the French counter-attack after a bad tackle by Marcos Acuna," he was quoted as saying to BL Sport publication. "I was afraid that the fouled player wanted to unwind, and I read it wrong because nothing happened, and you could give an advantage and then come back with a card. It's hard. In a game like this, I take such a mistake in the dark. The important thing is that there were no big mistakes," he went on to add. He explained that among these mistakes was that he stopped the "French counterattack after a bad intervention by Argentine Marcos Acuna," adding, "I was afraid that the wrong player wanted to relax, and I read that incorrectly because nothing happened, and you can give an advantage and then return with a card." He added that it is difficult in such matters, but added, "The important thing is that there were no major mistakes." Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, a former player in both Poland and Germany, received wide praise in the immediate aftermath of his performance, but in the following days he was heavily criticized by French sports newspaper L'Equipe. This criticism then spread across France, and a petition was filed on a French website calling for a replay of the final due to what were perceived as errors by Marsignac in the build-up to both of Argentina's first two goals.