Egypt’s hopes for the World Cup were dashed in the final moments, but their coach wasn’t ready to let the moment pass without incident.
Argentina appeared to be on the brink of elimination in Atlanta on Tuesday, trailing 2-0 with only 12 minutes remaining.
In an astounding comeback, goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez turned the game around. Fernandez’s header in the 93rd minute secured a 3-2 victory, sending Egypt out of the tournament.
The drama on the touchline was almost as intense as the action on the field.
As Fernandez’s goal found the back of the net, Egypt’s technical area erupted in chaos. Goalkeeper coach Saafan El-Sagheer was dismissed with a red card, and manager Hassan had to be restrained from a heated argument with referee Francois Letexier.
The Egyptian team was furious that a penalty was not awarded to Mohamed Salah, who appeared to have been clipped by Julian Alvarez in the box, alongside a goal being disallowed by VAR earlier in the game.
During the tense exchange, Hassan raised his hands in an X shape, a gesture often used to signal an allegation of racism to officials. However, it is unclear if he was indicating a specific incident or expressing general frustration with the decisions that had gone against his team.
In his post-match remarks, Hassan expressed his anger, accusing FIFA of influencing the outcome to keep Messi and his star power in the competition longer.
“We were better, but football is unfair,” he remarked.
“It could be a matter of marketing, they could want to make a World Cup with the champion of the last World Cup, they want Messi to exist.”
He added: “Why isn’t there any fairness in sport? In football? I do not want to try to put it nicely here with beautiful wording. We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice.”
Forward Mostafa Ziko, who had scored the second goal for Egypt, was also deeply upset, breaking into tears as he called Letexier an ‘unjust referee’ and stated “the cup has already been decided.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under fire during this tournament, including for lifting a suspension on USA forward Folarin Balogun’s red card after a call with Donald Trump. Infantino was seen celebrating Argentina’s victory over Cape Verde, but later emphasized his neutrality and raised an Egyptian flag before Switzerland’s match with Colombia to counter accusations of bias.
There is no evidence to support claims of corruption or match-fixing involving FIFA or Infantino.
With this victory, Argentina moves on to the quarter-finals to face either Switzerland or Colombia.
FIFA have been approached for comment
Quarter-final – Match 97: France vs Morocco, kick-off 4pm – Los Angeles, US
Quarter-final – Match 98: Match 91 winners vs Match 92 winners, kick-off 3pm – Miami, US
Quarter-final – Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 5pm – Miami, US
Quarter-final – Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 9pm – Kansas City, US
Semi-final – Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 3pm – Arlington, US
Semi-final – Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 3pm – Atlanta, US
Third Place Playoff – Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 5pm – Miami, US
Final – Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 3pm – New Jersey, US