Why Enzo Fernández's Goal for Argentina Against Egypt Should Have Been Ruled Out
- Enzo Fernández scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Argentina recovered from 2-0 down to beat Egypt and reach the quarter-finals
- Replays appeared to show that the Chelsea star’s goal should not have stood because of an incident that occurred during the build-up
- Egypt were left furious after VAR did not intervene, despite earlier having a goal ruled out for a foul against Argentina leading to the score
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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Argentina completed an incredible comeback to beat Egypt and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, replays of the decisive goal have sparked controversy, with many believing it should have been ruled out after an apparent foul on Mohamed Salah moments before Argentina launched the match-winning counterattack.
Source: Getty Images
Argentina complete World Cup comeback against Egypt
Argentina looked to be heading for a shock elimination after falling 2-0 behind to Egypt, with the reigning world champions still trailing until the 79th minute.
Lionel Messi, who had earlier missed a first-half penalty, ignited the comeback by picking out Cristian Romero inside the penalty area to reduce the deficit.
Just four minutes later, Messi equalised, extending his remarkable scoring streak by finding the net in his eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup match.
With momentum firmly on Argentina's side, the defending champions continued to push for a winner deep into stoppage time.
Why Enzo Fernández's winner should have been disallowed
In the second minute of added time, Argentina turned defence into attack in an instant.
After Egypt threatened at one end, Lautaro Martínez lifted a pass into the path of Enzo Fernández, who finished clinically to complete one of the greatest comebacks in FIFA World Cup history.
However, television replays appeared to show Mohamed Salah being fouled inside Argentina's penalty area before Julián Álvarez won possession to launch the counterattack that ended with Fernández's winner.
Despite the incident, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not advise referee François Letexier to review the challenge, much to the frustration of Egypt's players and supporters.
Watch replay of Egypt's penalty incident from the loss against Argentina, as shared on X:
Reactions to Fernandez's goal amid VAR questions
The decision drew further criticism from fans online because Egypt had earlier seen a goal ruled out following a VAR review for a foul committed earlier in the attacking phase.
@Cool_Ustaz said:
"Argentina got a VAR review, but Egypt didn't. Egypt deserved a penalty just as much as Argentina did. This is a knockout match VAR should be used consistently and to its fullest. Fairness should come before favoritism."
@UTDTrey added:
"Argentina scored the winning goal the exact same way the Egypt goal got ruled out btw."
@PolymarketSport posted:
"CONTROVERSIAL: VAR didn’t call this as a penalty OR a foul in the build up to Argentina’s 3rd goal… …Egypt had an earlier goal ruled back for a foul in the build up."
With the Pharaohs leading 1-0, Lisandro Martínez lost possession near Argentina's penalty area, allowing Egypt to launch a swift counterattack through Haissem Hassan that ended with the ball in the net.
Source: Getty Images
However, after reviewing the footage, Letexier ruled that Marwan Attia had fouled Lisandro Martínez before the move developed, resulting in the goal being disallowed.
The contrasting decisions left many questioning why one attacking sequence was brought back for a foul while the incident involving Salah before Argentina's winning goal was allowed to stand.
Meanwhile, Argentina's victory has sustained its dream of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles.
According to Al Jazeera, La Albiceleste will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11.
Fans accuse Egypt-Argentina referee of bias
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that many fans had questioned the officiating after Egypt's defeat to Argentina.
Supporters believed a key refereeing decision influenced the outcome of the World Cup Round of 16 match.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
