Egypt Accuse FIFA of Bias After Argentina's Dramatic World Cup Comeback

Egypt has accused FIFA of influencing the World Cup in favour of Argentina after Lionel Messi led a remarkable 3-2 comeback in the last 16. The Egyptian coach and players expressed anger, claiming unfair treatment during key moments of the match.

Controversial Decisions Spark Outrage

Two pivotal moments fueled Egypt’s frustration. First, a goal by Egypt was disallowed due to a foul called 17 seconds before the finish, involving Marwan Attia stepping on Lisandro Martínez. Replays suggested minimal contact. Later, Egypt believed Mohamed Salah was fouled inside the penalty area, but no penalty was awarded despite similar contact from Julián Alvarez.

Coach Hossam Hassan said his team suffered "injustice" and suggested external influences favoured the defending champions. Striker Mostafa Zico even claimed the tournament had been "fixed." Hassan refused to watch further matches in protest and questioned the referee's impartiality.

“Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition,” Hassan said. “We were winning 2-0, but everything turned against us.”

Argentina’s Fight Back

Despite the controversy, Argentina’s spirit shone through. Down by two goals late in the game, Messi orchestrated the revival with a crucial assist and a goal. Enzo Fernández sealed the win with a stoppage-time header. This marked the latest comeback from two goals down in normal time at a World Cup.

Messi, overwhelmed by emotion, ended the game in tears. His performance included scoring, creating multiple chances, and completing impressive dribbles, underscoring his legendary status.

Match Highlights

• Egypt took an early lead through Yasser Ibrahim’s header.
• Mostafa Shobeir’s penalty save against Messi kept Egypt ahead.
• Zico scored twice for Egypt, with one goal controversially ruled out.
• Argentina fought back with goals from Cristian Romero, Messi, and Fernández.

Aftermath and Reactions

Egypt’s complaints centered on perceived inconsistent refereeing and VAR decisions. The disallowed Egyptian goal and the denied penalty appeal fueled suspicions of bias. Hassan criticized referee François Letexier and spoke openly about feeling wronged.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the team’s resilience, pointing out that the squad relied on character and spirit when the football was tough. He praised his players for finding ways to win despite challenges.

Looking Ahead

The win propels Argentina into the quarter-finals, with potential clashes looming against Colombia or Switzerland. Meanwhile, Egypt leaves the tournament feeling robbed of a fair chance despite their strong start and tactical discipline.