Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan launched a scathing criticism of the match officials after his side’s heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, insisting the Pharaohs were denied a deserved place in the quarterfinals.
Egypt looked on course for one of the biggest upsets of the tournament after racing into a 2-0 lead against the defending champions. However, Argentina produced a stunning late comeback with goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández to snatch victory in Atlanta.
Following the match, Hassan claimed his team had “suffered an injustice,” arguing that key refereeing decisions changed the outcome.
“We suffered an injustice,” Hassan said after the final whistle. “We played better with the ball and deserved more from this match.”
The Egyptian coach also questioned the influence surrounding Argentina, suggesting the officials had come under pressure during the game.
“It seems the Argentina team put pressure on the referee. That was the result,” Hassan said, while expressing frustration over a disallowed Egyptian goal and other VAR decisions that he believed went against his side.
Hassan did not stop there, claiming commercial interests may have played a role in the outcome.
“They want Messi to stay for marketing purposes,” he said, adding that football should be decided on the pitch rather than by controversial officiating decisions.
Despite his anger over the refereeing, Hassan praised his players for their commitment and courage against one of the tournament favorites.
“The win was in our hands today,” he said. “I am proud of my players. They gave everything and showed the world what Egyptian football is capable of.”
The match ended amid heated scenes, with Egyptian players and staff protesting several decisions after the final whistle. While Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals, Hassan’s post-match comments ensured the controversy surrounding the encounter is likely to continue well beyond the final whistle.
