{ "id": "36997", "author": "19", "title": "Egypt Coach Accuses FIFA Officials of Injustice After Argentina's Dramatic World Cup Comeback Win", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "0000", "article_type": "general", "excerpt": "Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his team was \"cheated\" after Argentina came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. He questioned VAR decisions and refereeing during the match.\r\n", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan<\/strong> claimed his side had been "cheated" out of a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan said in an explosive press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Pharaohs had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0, VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Zico did then put Egyptian on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time by doubling their lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who had a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser with his eighth goal of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The controversy did not end there, though, as in the build-up to Argentina's winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play," Hassan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the (shirt) being pulled back."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hassan said he would not watch any more matches of the tournament, such was the injustice he felt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"This is my own way of speaking up."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

- 'They wanted Messi' -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

After Yasser Ibrahim's header put Egypt in front, Argentina were awarded a penalty for a trip on Nicolas Tagliafico.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Messi's problems with World Cup penalties continued as his effort was saved by Mostafa Shobeir.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has now failed to score four of his eight non-shootout spot-kicks at the World Cup, including two misses at this tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hassan speculated that the officials had been put under pressure to keep one of the biggest names in the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," he told BeIn Sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hassan also complained about the scheduling of the match for a noon kick-off (1600GMT), just four days after both sides had won their round of 32 matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Whoever schedules those matches has never played football. You never schedule a game for 12pm. At noon you go for a walk or to eat brunch, you do not go to play football.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"When are the players supposed to eat? At 7.30am?<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Live Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>

"There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Egypts-head-coach-Hossam-Hassan.jpeg", "alt_img": "Egypts head coach Hossam Hassan", "alt_title": "Egypt Coach Accuses FIFA Officials of Injustice After Argentina's Dramatic World Cup Comeback Win", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Egypt 'cheated' in controversial World Cup exit to Messi's Argentina, says Egypt Coach Hassan", "seo_desc": "Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his team was \"cheated\" after Argentina came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. He questioned VAR decisions and refereeing during the match.\r\n", "seo_keywords": "Argentina Vs Egypt, Hossam Hassan, FIFA World Cup 2026, Lionel Messi, VAR Controversy, Enzo Fernandez, World Cup Controversy", "tag": null, "tagging": "Argentina Vs Egypt,Hossam Hassan,FIFA World Cup 2026,Lionel Messi,VAR Controversy,Enzo Fernandez,World Cup Controversy", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "egypt-coach-accuses-fifa-officials-of-injustice-after-argentinas-dramatic-world-cup-comeback-win", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "107", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2026-07-08 09:56:40", "updated": "2026-07-08 09:56:40", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Argentina Vs Egypt, Hossam Hassan, FIFA World Cup 2026, Lionel Messi, VAR Controversy, Enzo Fernandez, World Cup Controversy", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "19", "jio_date": "2026-07-08 09:56:40", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/egypt-coach-accuses-fifa-officials-of-injustice-after-argentinas-dramatic-world-cup-comeback-win-36997" }