Scathing criticisms have been targeted at the referees after Argentina secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt on Tuesday. However, leading Egyptian journalist Mohamed Mustafa believes the Pharaohs have only themselves to blame for the loss to Argentina.
A hugely controversial disallowed goal by Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” dominated the post-match headlines, but Mustafa insists it wasn’t the decisive moment that decided Egypt’s fate.
Mustafa Rejects the Referee Scapegoat Narrative
“The most controversial moment in the game was the disallowed goal by Zizo,” Mustafa said. But I don’t see it as a decisive moment to the point where we can say it was the only reason behind Egypt’s elimination from the World Cup. “The other decisions were normal incidents that happen in many World Cup matches.”
Mustafa said the squad’s effort as a whole was commendable, but that tactical errors against a world-class opponent like Argentina were ultimately what killed them rather than focusing on the whistle.
“I think Egypt had a very good performance but the small details and individual errors were the main reasons for the loss against Argentina,” he explained.
Speaking to the instant fury that met the match officials from both fans and camp, Mustafa said it was typical post-match stuff.
As for the referee, it is normal that after every defeat, the players, the coaches and even the officials find the referee as the main reason for the defeat.”
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a stunning late comeback as the reigning champions beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
One of the great World Cup comebacks.
Reigning holders Argentina were on the brink at 2-0 down, but three late goals have taken them through into the quarter-finals.
After Argentina fell 2-0 down with just over 20 minutes remaining, Messi created one goal and then thrashed in the equaliser before Enzo Fernandez’s injury-time winner sent Argentina into the last eight.
