THE FUSE

Egypt suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash after surrendering a late lead.

The African giants looked on course for the quarter-finals before Lionel Messi inspired the comeback and Enzo Fernández headed home the winner in stoppage time.

FIFA WORLD CUP: EGYPT 2-3 ARGENTINA

The controversy began with Egypt leading 1-0 when Mostafa Ziko thought he had doubled the advantage. However, French referee François Letexier overturned the goal after an on-field VAR review. Officials ruled that an Egyptian player had fouled Lisandro Martínez around 20 seconds before the ball crossed the line.

Ziko later made it 2-2, but Argentina completed a dramatic turnaround in the closing stages. Messi equalised before Fernández sealed victory with a stoppage-time header.

The drama continued on the touchline as Hassan confronted Letexier. The veteran coach made FIFA’s official anti-racism “X” gesture before the referee responded by showing him a yellow card.

TOUCHLINE CHAOS

FIFA introduced the “X” signal in 2024 to allow players and coaches to report racist abuse. The gesture can trigger a three-step protocol that includes suspending or abandoning a match.

Instead, Letexier allowed play to continue after cautioning Hassan. Reports remain divided over why the Egypt coach used the gesture. Some believe he reacted to alleged abuse, while others say he used it to protest the officiating.

The situation escalated moments later when a member of Egypt’s backroom staff ran onto the pitch and confronted Messi. Match officials immediately showed the staff member a red card before security escorted him away.

HOSSAM HASSAN HITS OUT

After the final whistle, Hassan continued making the “X” gesture while arguing with officials. He also confronted a pitchside photographer before leaving the field.

The Egypt coach then accused officials of manipulating the match in favour of Argentina.

“I will say what is on my mind regardless of the consequences. This was clearly a manipulated match, the whole world saw it. And I want to say something else, if they want Argentina to win so badly, then why invite everyone to come and take part?”

Hassan also claimed Egypt had been denied a fair contest.

“We were treated unfairly and subjected to injustice. The result was influenced by internal and external factors.”

Egyptian football analyst Ahmad Youssef also questioned the consistency of the officiating. He argued that the overturned goal changed the outcome of the match.

FIFA could now investigate Hassan over his use of the governing body’s anti-racism gesture. His explosive post-match comments could also come under disciplinary review.