Egypt coach alleges injustice after controversial World Cup loss to Messi's Argentina

Egypt's World Cup dreams crumbled in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina, a loss that left coach Hossam Hassan fuming and alleging a biased officiating performance. The Pharaohs held a commanding 2-0 lead until the 79th minute, only to see the defending champions stage a stunning comeback, with the winning goal arriving in the second minute of stoppage time.

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We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice.

The controversial end to the match saw multiple yellow cards issued and Egypt's goalkeeping coach ejected. Hassan, visibly incensed, signaled for racial abuse and declared his team had suffered injustice. He specifically pointed to a disallowed goal that was overturned by VAR and a penalty appeal that was denied in the closing minutes, suggesting these decisions favored Argentina and Lionel Messi.

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I just would like to say that we would have deserved to earn this win, but we are leaving with honor, with pride, regardless of this defeat.

"We have been treated unfairly today," Hassan stated. "We have suffered injustice." He lamented that the effect of the outcome extended beyond the defeat itself, citing a lack of respect and fair play from the officials. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Hassan insisted his team leaves the tournament with honor and pride, having achieved their first-ever World Cup win earlier in the competition.

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The effect of this outcome goes way beyond the defeat itself because we haven’t seen neither respect nor fair play.

The match, played in a stadium typically home to NFL's Atlanta Falcons, was a tale of two halves. Egypt had taken a 2-0 lead through Mostafa Zico's goal in the 67th minute, appearing to be on the cusp of a historic upset. However, Cristian Romero pulled one back for Argentina in the 79th, followed by Messi's equalizer just four minutes later, setting the stage for Enzo Fernández's dramatic winner.

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There has not been respect or fair play because a penalty was ruled out. A second ball that should have been called as a penalty for us was not even checked by the VAR.