Atlanta [US], July 8 (ANI): Following his side’s FIFA World Cup round of 16 exit, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said that his side looked better than the defending champions in “everything” and alleged that the world’s football governing body wants to keep Argentina icon Lionel Messi and his side in the competition, who he alleged “received support at every level”.
The match in Atlanta marked another instant classic at the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The defending champions were 2-0 down in the 67th minute, but three goals in 13 minutes from Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernandez stunned the fans watching live and at their homes as Argentina booked their quarterfinal spot with a showstopping performance.
One of the biggest moments of the match was a VAR-disallowed goal of Egypt’s Mostafa Ziko in the 59th minute, which could have changed the whole complexion of the match had it stood as a goal. The other things that infuriated the Egyptian camp were an apparent foul by Alexis Mac Allister leading up to Enzo’s stoppage-time winner.
Following the match, Hossam alleged that the match was “influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it”.
“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,” Hassan told reporters as quoted by ESPN.
“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.”
“There seem to be pressures from the Argentina side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation [Argentina beat France in the 2022 World Cup final], but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered.”
Hossam also said that they had not seen “respect or fair play” in the match, alleging refusal of a penalty after an alleged foul on Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, and the particular event did not even undergo a VAR check.
“We have not seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out [alleged foul on Mohamed Salah], it was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. We have all seen the shirt pulled back [by Mac Allister] and not even a VAR check. Life is unfair, normal life is unfair, so why is there no fairness in sports?”
The head coach said that he is “not convinced by the outcome and the way things unfolded in the match”.
“I want to put it in beautiful words and say hard luck, but we have been treated unfairly and it has been an injustice,” he signed off.
Coming to the match, Egypt stunned Argentina in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim headed home from Marwan Attia’s corner. Argentina had an immediate chance to respond after Nicolas Tagliafico won a penalty, but goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir denied Lionel Messi from the spot.
Shobeir continued his impressive display by saving efforts from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, while Messi also struck the crossbar with a free-kick as Egypt held a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Egypt thought they had doubled their advantage early in the second half through Mostafa Ziko, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review. The Pharaohs were not to be denied for long, however, as Ziko finished off a swift counterattack in the 67th minute after good work from Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan to make it 2-0.
Argentina responded with renewed urgency after introducing attacking reinforcements. Cristian Romero reduced the deficit in the 79th minute, heading in Messi’s inviting free-kick.
Just four minutes later, Messi levelled the contest with a powerful strike from the edge of the box that found the net after clipping the goalkeeper’s gloves and the underside of the crossbar.
With extra time looming, Argentina completed their remarkable turnaround in stoppage time. A loose ball fell kindly to Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder calmly slotted a low finish into the bottom corner to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win sends Argentina into the quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of the Round of 16 clash between Switzerland and Colombia on July 8. (ANI)
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