On Tuesday, the Argentinian squad won one of the most exciting matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Egypt. Argentina and legend Lionel Messi were staved off for most of the day, including a Messi penalty kick that was saved. However, three goals after the 79th minute, including one to level things from Messi himself, allowed Argentina to emerge victorious without even needing extra time.
Still, the comeback wasn’t without its share of controversy. The first time Egypt went up 2-0, it saw the goal wiped away by a questionable VAR review that even left the game’s announcers questioning things.
“VAR is the bane of my life,” Fox play-by-play announcer Darren Fletcher said of the review.
Interestingly, a similar situation that would’ve resulted in a PK for Egypt and led to a goal for Argentina was not reviewed. There were other calls, and a lack thereof, that raised some eyebrows and led many to wonder if FIFA wanted Messi’s side to advance.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was crystal clear in his feelings on how things played out.
“We haven’t seen respect or fair play,” he told reporters. “A penalty was ruled out and a second (incident) that should have been checked for a penalty for us was not even checked by the VAR. A second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed.
“There seems to have been pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee that has brought about this outcome.
“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. OK, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports? I’m not convinced by this outcome and by the way things unfolded in this match.”
Now, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is joining the conversation on the controversial game.
“It means agreeing with your friends that Egypt were robbed yesterday,” he said, referring to how New Yorkers will use the time saved with his added bus lanes around the city.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani mentions Argentina’s World Cup game against Egypt during his speech:
“It means agreeing with your friends that Egypt were robbed yesterday.” pic.twitter.com/uArHxoeJBM
— Underdog (@Underdog) July 8, 2026
The crowd cheered at Mamdani’s reference, indicating that the majority of people outside of Argentina supporters just might agree with Hassan.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.