A Stunned Upset Turned Around
Egypt appeared to be on the verge of a historic victory during Tuesday's match, holding a commanding 2-0 lead over defending champions Argentina well into the second half. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final minutes when Lionel Messi played a pivotal role, assisting the first goal and netting the equalizer within a five-minute window. Argentina ultimately clinched a 3-2 victory with a stoppage-time goal, leaving the Egyptian side devastated.
The Egyptian FA's Official Stance
Following the match, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and team leadership expressed deep dissatisfaction with the officiating. In an official statement, the EFA highlighted several instances of what it described as “controversial and influential refereeing incidents” that they believe unfairly tipped the scales against their team.
The organization stated: “The Egyptian Football Association cannot remain silent regarding the refereeing decisions witnessed during the match against Argentina as well as the failure to make appropriate use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game.”
The EFA further emphasized that local and international analysts have pointed to these inconsistencies, noting that such errors undermine the integrity and transparency expected at a tournament of the magnitude of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
VAR Controversies Under Scrutiny
A primary point of contention for the Egyptian side was a specific VAR intervention during the 59th minute. After Egypt scored, officials reviewed an incident on the opposite side of the pitch that occurred 20 seconds prior. Despite the lack of an initial foul call, the goal was disallowed. This decision has sparked wider discussions about the application of technology in the tournament, noting that previous incidents, such as the red card handed to Folarin Balogun, have also drawn heavy criticism.
Coaching Staff Reaction
The frustration was palpable from the sidelines as well. Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan was highly critical of the officials during the game, reportedly telling them the situation was “unfair.” While the EFA’s written statement remained more diplomatic than the coach’s immediate post-match comments, the message remains clear: the association believes the result was fundamentally impacted by officiating failures rather than purely on-field performance.