Posted on 07/07/2026 3:22:30 PM PDT by DFG
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has furiously accused FIFA of rigging the World Cup after a string of controversial refereeing decisions went against his side during Argentina's dramatic late comeback in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Argentina, who were 2-0 down with 12 minutes to play plus stoppage time, looked destined to exit the tournament before late goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez resulted in a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory.
When Fernandez's game-winning header rippled the net in the 93rd minute, chaos broke out on the touchline as Egypt's furious staff remonstrated with referee Francois Letexier, leading to goalkeeper coach Saafan El-Sagheer being shown a red card and manager Hassan being dragged away from a confrontation with the official.
The Pharaohs were furious that the referee - and also VAR - had not awarded Egypt a penalty moments before Argentina's winner, as Mohamed Salah was brought down inside the box after having his foot clipped by Julian Alvarez.
Earlier in the second half, Egypt themselves had a goal disallowed by VAR due to a foul in the build-up. Throughout the game, a string of decisions went in favour of Argentina, who have now progressed to the quarter-finals as they bid to retain their crown in North America.
After the match, Hassan could not contain his outrage and furiously accused world football's governing body FIFA of rigging the tournament so that all-time great Messi could remain in the competition for 'marketing reasons'.
'We were better, but football is unfair,' the heartbroken coach said in his post-match interview.
'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 (in the tournament).
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If the third Argentine goal had been disallowed, they would have gone to the extra 30 minutes—no way to know if one team or the other would be ahead at the end of that. If not, then penalty kicks shootout. So Egypt may have lost anyway.
What does “VAR” stand for?
Call a Wambulance ,LOL
VAR=video in the booth, what in real football is called “after further review.”
Video Assisted Review
FIFA is already corrupt to the core everyone knows that, the bogus call on Bakugan or whatever his name is against Bosnia is proof of that
So you’re telling me that international soccer might be rigged to benefit the more popular teams and popular players in order to maximize ratings and endorsements.
You mean Tom Brady didn’t really win all those Super Bowls? That LeBron James didn’t need to sell all those flops to get special treatment from the refs?
Welcome to the Real World, Egyptians!! So sorry you had to learn the truth like this but it gets worse from here.
The 2nd Egypt goal was good.
VAR is being used in ways in was never intended.
The refs were gimmes for ARG and overlooked fouls to Egypt, in the box, I might add.
I agree with Egypt here.
You will own nothing including World Cups and like it!
May have. Key phrase.
The reason they didn’t win? They didn’t walk like an egyptian- it’s plain to see-
VARgentina.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been arguably the best 2 players and the most well known in soccer for decades, yet Messi just one his first World Cup in 2022, and Ronaldo has not won one. It’s a team sport, with very important input from individual players. Plus, the World Cup has fans and followers from all around the globe. Fixing it for a few select teams would lead to a much smaller audience - and thus less money.
Only a few more days until Sunday, July 19th, when the World Cup will (finally!) be over.
Someone's got to play the "heel".
The korporate sportsball owners:
Oh please. The Egyptian goalie got OWNED by Messi and then the game winning header - with ZERO defense to protect him.
These Arab savages have nothing to do with the ancient Pharoahs. Arabians genocided their descendants centuries ago.
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