'We suffered injustice': Egypt coach fumes at referee after Argentina loss

Egypt's World Cup journey ended in heartbreak, with coach Hossam Hassan declaring his team "suffered injustice" following a dramatic late collapse against Argentina. The Pharaohs were on the cusp of a major upset, leading 2-0 with just 11 minutes remaining in their last 16 clash, only to concede three goals and exit the tournament.

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I'm going home and won't be watching any more games from the tournament.

Hassan was particularly incensed by several key refereeing decisions made by François Letexier. He pointed to a goal that was initially given but later disallowed after a VAR review, and a late penalty appeal that was not considered. "What happened to us wasn't fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don't know why it was disallowed," Hassan stated, expressing his profound disappointment with the officiating.

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What happened to us wasn't fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don't know why it was disallowed.

The Egyptian coach suggested that external factors may have influenced the match's outcome, hinting at pressure from the Argentinian side. "We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice," he asserted, adding that he was unconvinced by the result. His frustration was palpable, leading to a yellow card for arguing and a red card for a staff member during the intense final stages.

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

Beyond the controversial calls, Hassan also questioned the scheduling of the match, criticizing the noon start time in Atlanta. He argued that such timings are unsuitable for professional football, impacting player performance and well-being. "At noon you go for a stroll, you go to get some fresh air, to maybe go on a brunch, but you do not go to play football," he lamented, questioning the decision-makers' understanding of the sport.

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We looked better compared to the reigning champions.