Egypt controversially had a stunning second goal against Argentina disallowed by VAR in their thrilling World Cup 2026 last-16 clash.
Underdogs Egypt already led 1-0 thanks to Yasser Ibrahim’s first-half header before the reigning world champions were further stunned as Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved shortly after.
And the African side appeared to go 2-0 up, leaving Argentina with a mountain to climb, when they scored a magnificent second goal on 58 minutes.
Egypt broke at pace, with Haissem Hassan dribbling from near his own area before passing to Mohamed Salah, who slid a sumptuous ball through to Mostafa Ziko.
The 29-year-old – who chose the nickname Ziko after the Brazilian great, who was admired by his father – beat the onrushing Emiliano Martinez to the ball and blasted home.
However, after wild celebrations, the referee was called to the pitchside monitor by the VAR to review a potential foul in the build-up.
Replays showed that Marwan Attia pulled back Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez before also standing on his foot and the goal was ultimately ruled out.
Remarkably, Egypt did move 2-0 ahead on 68 minutes, with Ziko again the scorer, and this one counted. Salah led the charge, driving forward and sliding the ball into the path of Hassan thanks to a deflection, with the Oviedo winger beating his man and cutting the ball back for Ziko to lash home.
It appeared to be sending the North Africans into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history but Argentina showed a champions’ resolve to hit back and turn the match on its head.
Firstly, Cristian Romero powered a header in from close range on 79 minutes before Messi redeemed himself for the penalty miss just four minutes later by half-volleying Martinez’s knock-back and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was only able to push it off the bar and into the net.
That set up a thrilling finish, with both sides desperately pushing to secure a spot in the last eight, where either Colombia or Switzerland await, and Argentina went ahead in injury time as Lautaro Martinez whipped in a superb cross to the back post that Enzo Fernandez headed across goal and into the far corner.
Egypt were furious, believing there had been a foul at the other end of the pitch during the build-up, but the goal stood and the Argentines held on for victory.
