Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Accuses FIFA of Favouring Argentina After Dramatic 3-2 World Cup Defeat

Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Accuses FIFA of Favouring Argentina After Dramatic 3-2 World Cup Defeat

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has launched a scathing attack on FIFA and match officials, accusing them of favouring defending champions Argentina after his side's heartbreaking 3-2 Round of 16 defeat.

Egypt looked set for a famous victory after racing into a two-goal lead, but Argentina mounted a sensational comeback led by captain .

Messi sparked the turnaround by creating Argentina's first goal before scoring the equaliser. In stoppage time, completed the comeback with the winning goal, sending the reigning champions into the quarter-finals.

Hassan Claims Egypt Were "Robbed"

Speaking after the match, Hassan insisted Egypt were the superior side and claimed the outcome was influenced by factors beyond football.

«"We looked better than the reigning champions—better in everything—but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it."»

The Egypt boss went further, suggesting there was a desire to keep Argentina and Messi in the tournament.

«"Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running. In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level."»

Egypt Furious Over VAR Decisions

The controversial encounter was overshadowed by several refereeing decisions that left the Egyptian camp furious.

Egypt believed they were denied a clear penalty after appeared to be fouled by in the build-up to Argentina's winning goal.

The Pharaohs were also left stunned after a second goal was ruled out following a VAR review, a decision Hassan described as impossible to understand.

«"We haven't seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed."»

«"I want to say 'hard luck,' but we have been treated unfairly. It has been an injustice."»

Hassan Questions Referee Appointment

Hassan also criticised the appointment of French referee , revealing that Egypt had objected to his selection before the match.

«"There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We objected to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered."»

The Egyptian coach disclosed that he confronted Letexier immediately after the final whistle.

«"What I told the referee was, 'This is unfair.' I said maybe he is carrying a scar or has something to hide. If somebody is trying to hide something, they often fail to hide it."»

Mostafa Zico Also Questions Officiating

Egypt forward echoed his coach's frustrations, insisting questionable decisions changed the course of the match.

«"Hard luck. The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. Strange things happened on the pitch."»

«"We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us. I don't even know why the second goal was disallowed, but we must look for a solution."»

Argentina Progress Amid Major Controversy

Despite Egypt's protests, Argentina completed one of the tournament's most dramatic comebacks to book their place in the quarter-finals.

However, Hassan's explosive allegations against FIFA, the refereeing team, and the VAR officials are likely to fuel intense debate among football fans worldwide, with many expected to scrutinise the controversial decisions that overshadowed an unforgettable knockout clash.