Egypt 'cheated' in controversial World Cup exit to Messi's Argentina, says Hassan
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his side had been "cheated" out of a place in the World Cup quarterfinals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Tuesday.
"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.
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The Pharaohs had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0 when VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.
Lisandro Martínez I’m sorry but that’s never a foul in any sport 😭 pic.twitter.com/PGswco4QpS https://t.co/b4pAncAz2b — United Extra (@TheUnitedExtra) July 7, 2026
Zico did then put Egyptian on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time by doubling their lead.
However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who saw a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser with his eighth goal of the tournament.
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.
Egypt bottled a lead but were robbed in the end.
90+1:14 - Mac Allister fouls Hamdy Fathy's shirt in the box and brings him down. No VAR look and Enzo scores right after to make it 3-2.
Same old, same old to get it over the line for Argentina. pic.twitter.com/E9Vfszp3lC — Younes H-Hamou (@youneshhamou_) July 7, 2026
"We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play," Hassan said.
"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."
Hassan said he would not watch any more matches of the tournament, such was the injustice he felt.
"I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup," he added.
"This is my own way of speaking up."
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan says Argentina's win was "entirely undeserved" 😳 pic.twitter.com/Zdyhz5VUfO — ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 7, 2026
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