Egypt praised after disputed World Cup loss to Argentina
Egypt’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina ended a historic run but drew public praise and anger over refereeing decisions.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Egypt’s World Cup campaign ended Tuesday with a 3-2 round-of-16 defeat to Argentina, a result Al Jazeera described as disputed after a late comeback by the defending champions. The loss mattered beyond the scoreline: Egypt had made history by reaching that stage, and the reaction quickly turned into a mix of pride, anger and solidarity.
According to Al Jazeera, Argentina trailed 2-0 before Lionel Messi scored an equaliser in the 83rd minute and Enzo Fernandez struck in stoppage time. The result kept Argentina’s title defence alive and sent Egypt out after a run that had included a round-of-32 victory over Australia.
Al Jazeera reported that the final stretch of the match was tense, with Egyptian players and staff angered by refereeing decisions. The referee disallowed a goal by Mostafa Ziko after a VAR review, and Egypt received four yellow cards, including one shown to coach Hossam Hassan.
Anger over officiating
Al Jazeera reported that Hassan crossed his arms in an X shape during the closing minutes, a gesture used to report racist abuse under FIFA’s antiracism procedure. According to Al Jazeera, the match was not stopped at that point and the referee blew the whistle only at full time minutes later.
Ziko criticised the officiating after the match, saying the decision-making was unfair and amounted to “clear and obvious oppression,” according to Al Jazeera. Hassan also challenged the calls in his post-match news conference, saying Egypt should have been awarded a penalty and questioning why the goal had been ruled out.
Former England defender Jamie Carragher also questioned the VAR decision, according to Al Jazeera. Carragher said the goal would have stood in major European leagues and said the tournament had produced inconsistent rulings.
Al Jazeera said Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho reportedly described the match as “daylight robbery.” He criticised the sequence that allowed play to continue before the goal was later cancelled, saying play should have been stopped immediately if there had been a foul.
Praise at home and across the Arab world
Egypt’s football federation congratulated the team on X, thanking the players for their effort and saying the country was proud of them, according to Al Jazeera. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also praised the squad on X for an “honourable performance” and said the future looked brighter for the team.
Supporters linked Egypt’s run to wider regional feeling, particularly after Hassan carried a Palestinian flag following the penalty-shootout win over Australia. Al Jazeera quoted Hassan after that match as saying he dedicated the victory to the Egyptian and Palestinian people.
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom praised Egypt’s performance while also criticising the referee, according to Al Jazeera. A Gaza-based supporter wrote on X that people in Gaza had gathered in the streets to watch the match and said they celebrated each Egyptian goal with tears of joy.
Al Jazeera reported that video showed Palestinians watching the game on a screen set up among bomb-damaged buildings, with Egyptian flags hanging above. The images added to the emotional weight of Egypt’s exit for supporters beyond Egypt.
Despite the defeat, Egypt’s players were greeted by cheering fans outside their hotel, according to Al Jazeera. Supporters waved Egyptian flags and celebrated the team after a World Cup run that ended in frustration but drew broad public admiration.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.