8 Jul 2026 07:30 BST |
3 min read
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Lionel Messi produced his latest miracle as Argentina recovered from two goals down to progress to the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Egypt, but the Inter Miami star faces claims of favouritism after the thrilling 3-2 success.
Argentina trailed the Pharaohs 2-0 with less than quarter of an hour of the last 16 encounter remaining, with Messi having seen a first-half penalty saved. It is a situation so late in the game that no team had previously won from in the history of the World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s record from the spot in World Cup finals matches is just 50%, having scored four and missed four, but he recovered from that blow to inspire his country to a thrilling comeback, scoring the equaliser during an incredible rally.
It was a goal that marked yet another personal milestone as he became the first player to score in six successive World Cup matches, yet it was all the more precious given what it meant to his country.
Egypt fume: Maybe they wanted Messi to stay in the running
While the Argentines celebrated, Egypt were left furious at a call that saw them have a goal disallowed early in the second half. Zico completed what appeared to have been a textbook breakaway with a cool finish, yet his effort was ruled out for a foul committed on Lisandro Martinez at the outset of the move down the other end of the field.
It was one of the most controversial refereeing decisions of the World Cup, and one that left Egypt manager Hossam Hassan fuming.
“There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch,” he said. “Negative aspects all around. It’s just about credibility, lack of credibility with how things unfolded.
“Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.
“The world champion received support at every level. There seem to be pressures from the Argentina side on this outcome.
“We haven’t seen respect or fair play.
“A penalty for us was ruled out, it was not even checked by the VAR and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed.”
Should Argentina’s winner have counted?
Egypt were left particularly exasperated due to the nature on Enzo Fernandez’s late winner, which came after they felt Mohamed Salah had been fouled in the Argentina box.
BBC Sport‘s football issues correspondent Dale Johnson explained why this was not considered to be a foul.
“It was similar to Attia’s challenge [on Martinez] – except for one crucial difference,” he said.
“Salah was in the penalty box, so the VAR is assessing a potential penalty – which has a higher threshold to a foul.
“Had Salah been outside the area, for consistency the VAR would have to get involved. As there’s not enough for a spot-kick, Argentina’s winner stands.”
Five penalties and counting
Argentina have had a strong trend of being on the right end of some generous refereeing calls in recent World Cup matches.
They have received eight penalties in their last 12 World Cup games – an unprecedented run that includes five this year alone in what is another record.
This sense that FIFA is giving Argentina, and therefore Messi, a leg up was fuelled further as it was announced previously that Argentine referee Facundo Tello will take charge of France’s quarter-final with Morocco. Indeed, France, who are the favourites to win the World Cup, will have an all-Argentine group of match officials in a move that has been widely dubbed on social media as one that favours the South Americans.
Of course, this conveniently ignores the fact that it was Francois Letexier, a Frenchman, who stands accused of having helped the South Americans into the quarter-finals at the expense of Egypt in the first place.
