FIFA World Cup 2026: 'We have been cheated,' says Egypt coach

Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan (left) argues with referee Francois Letexier as skipper Mohamed Salah (centre) looks on during their match against Argentina in Atlanta on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his side had been "cheated" out of a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Tuesday.

"I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan said in an explosive press conference. The Pharaohs had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0 when VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move. Zico did then put Egyptian on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time by doubling their lead.

"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. Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Lionel Messi to stay in the running," Hassan said.

However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who saw a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser.

The controversy did not end there, though, as in the build-up to Argentina's winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

"We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the [shirt] being pulled back" Hassan said.

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No. of minutes within which Egypt conceded three goals against Argentina

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