Egypt falls to Argentina in the knockout round

On Tuesday night, 2026-07-02, Egypt lost to Argentina 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16, sparking a wave of sharp criticism from football legends. The referee became the focal point after a disallowed Egyptian goal and a questionable penalty awarded to Argentina.

What happened on the pitch?

The match featured a missed penalty by Lionel Messi in the first half, followed by the annulment of an Egyptian goal in the 68th minute after a VAR review. In the 82nd minute, Argentina scored a third goal that prompted Egyptian players to demand a penalty that was never given. These decisions triggered widespread condemnation from former stars.

Why did the legends slam the officiating?

Roy Keane, former Manchester United star, said “the Tango benefited from refereeing to reach the quarter‑finals”. Alan Shearer called the situation “absurd” on Twitter, noting the lack of uniform standards for reviewing calls. Rio Ferdinand added that “the inconsistency in law application irritates fans”.

Jimmy Carragher criticized the cancellation of Egypt’s goal, insisting it should have stood. Ian Wright argued the Argentine goal should have been ruled out because of a foul on Mohamed Salah early in the play, commenting on “how VAR keeps rewinding”.

What does this mean for Egypt?

The defeat leaves Egypt in a tough spot after their last result, a 1-1 draw with Belgium (2026-06-15). Their recent form (last five) reads 0W‑3D‑2L (DDDLL). Currently sidelined are Hamdi Fathy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, adding pressure on the coach.

What’s next for the Pharaohs?

With the tournament over, Egypt must review its performance and address technical errors. Focus will shift to restoring injured players and tightening the defence ahead of the upcoming African Nations Cup qualifiers. Legends may keep voicing opinions, but the real task is how the staff reacts and rebuilds confidence among supporters.