With 12 minutes left in regulation, Egypt were on the brink of their greatest World Cup achievement.
The Pharaohs led the reigning champions Argentina 2-0 in Atlanta, with a first-ever quarter-final place in sight for the football-mad nation.
Then it unraveled. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, and panic seemed to set in when Lionel Messi equalised four minutes later. In the second minute of stoppage time, Enzo Fernández completed a dramatic turnaround with a headed winner, sending Argentina’s fans into raptures.
Egypt’s anger was compounded by a VAR decision that cancelled a second goal from Mostafa Zico for a foul in the buildup—midfielder Marwan Attia was judged to have stepped on Lisandro Martínez when Egypt were 1-0 up. They also insisted Mohamed Salah was fouled in Argentina’s box moments before the decisive counterattack.
At full-time, several Egyptian players sank to the turf in disbelief.
In a fiery post-match interview, head coach Hossam Hassan said his team had been “treated unfairly” and had “suffered injustice,” adding there were “a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch.” He complained of “negative aspects all around,” citing a “lack of credibility” in how events unfolded. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running,” he said, claiming Argentina “received support at every level” and suggesting “pressures” influenced the outcome. BBC Sport has asked Fifa for comment.
The match had everything: a saved penalty, a disallowed goal, a red card, and a stunning late comeback—one that will be remembered for a team overturning a two-goal deficit so late and still winning inside 90 minutes.