Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 on Tuesday, with coach Hossam Hassan escalating protests over a denied penalty for star Mohamed Salah. The decision followed a clash in the 68th minute, which the referee Amin Barakallah deemed a normal contact.

What happened in the match?

In the first half, Argentina scored twice before Egypt responded with two goals in the 55th and 61st minutes. The 68th minute saw a challenge on Salah inside the penalty area, but no spot‑kick was awarded. A second incident involved Hamdi Fathy inside the box, which the referee said should have triggered VAR. The match ended with Argentina's third goal in the 89th minute, ending Egypt's run.

Why is the officiating controversial?

Tunisian referee Amin Barakallah told "Al‑Ain" that Salah's contact was "normal" and that the Argentine player's foot did not impede him. He added that the defender did not move his foot. Conversely, he noted that the challenge on Hamdi Fathy "required VAR intervention". He also criticized French referee François Letchiser, calling his whistle "strict" for Egypt and "soft" for Argentina when handing out cards.

How does this affect Egypt's future?

The defeat puts Egypt in a tough spot ahead of the next knockout round. Yet the team still has a chance to regroup before the upcoming match. The last result was a 1-1 draw with Belgium on 2026-06-15, and recent form (last five) reads 0W-3D-2L. Currently sidelined players are Hamdi Fathy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, adding strain to Hossam Hassan's lineup.

What lies ahead for the Pharaohs?

Coach Hassan will need to tweak tactics and cover for the injured squad members. Relying on Salah as captain and primary scorer remains vital, but he will need fresh support in midfield. If he can turn the refereeing grievances into motivation, Egypt could bounce back in the next games, though time is short and the pressure is high.