Egypt Fume Over Refereeing After Argentina Comeback

Egypt forward Mostafa Zico launched a scathing attack on the match officials after his side squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
Egypt were 2-0 ahead until the 79th minute before the reigning world champions staged a stunning comeback with three goals in the final 13 minutes to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, Zico made an explosive allegation.
"Congratulations to Argentina on winning the World Cup. The tournament was already arranged for them. They didn't need anything else. The referee was unfair, unfair, unfair, unfair," he said.
Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute before Lionel Messi equalised four minutes later. Enzo Fernández then headed home the winner in the second minute of stoppage time to complete Argentina's dramatic turnaround.
Fernández, who scored the decisive goal, praised his team's fighting spirit.
"This team is incredible. We never give up. Four years after Qatar, we're back at the World Cup and we want to win the title again. That's our goal," he said.
Egypt's frustration centred on two controversial refereeing decisions. In the 58th minute, Zico thought he had doubled his side's lead, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review because of a foul earlier in the build-up.
The Egyptians also argued that Hamdi Fathi was fouled in the build-up to Argentina's winning goal, claiming the incident was not properly reviewed by VAR.
Despite their complaints, Egypt's inability to protect a 2-0 advantage ultimately proved decisive. Argentina will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

MMR