Argentina pulled off a scarcely believable second-half comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta on Tuesday, but the victory was overshadowed by a major VAR controversy that left Ian Wright fuming.
Trailing 2-0 to goals from Mostafa Shobeir and Ziko, the reigning world champions looked destined for elimination. Cristian Romero hauled them back into the game with a brilliant header, before Lionel Messi equalised. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround with a dramatic late winner — but Egypt were adamant the goal should never have stood.
“Argentina survive scare to beat Egypt 3-2 amid controversy over Enzo Fernandez's winning goal.”
In the build-up, Mo Salah went down under a challenge, convinced he should have been awarded a penalty. VAR chose not to intervene, and Argentina swept upfield to score. Salah was furious, and Wright, on punditry duty for ITV Sport, argued that the goal should have been disallowed. “That’s what happening with VAR now, they’re pulling it back,” he said. “If you’re going to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the box to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this one with Mo Salah. He’s been caught. Whatever we say, it might be minimal, he’s been caught and then they go up the other end.”
Roy Keane added: “The only thing I’d say with this one when he does cut, why does his legs give way?” He later observed: “You go back through football, the bigger teams do seem to get the benefit of these decisions but it shouldn’t take away from what Argentina have also achieved. You’re 2-0 down with 10 or 11 minutes to go. The credit has to go to Argentina.”
It was not the only controversial moment. Argentina were awarded a first-half penalty for a foul on Nicolas Tagliafico — which Messi missed — while Ziko had a goal ruled out by VAR for a foul on the same player earlier in the move. Wright believed that decision was also wrong. “If we’re going to start, is that what VAR is for? That’s a long way to go back and it’s a long way to go back for Argentina to compose themselves,” he said. When asked if an Argentina goal would be struck off in similar circumstances, Gary Neville replied: “Unlikely.”
Messi, who leads the World Cup Golden Boot race with eight goals, was overcome with emotion after the win. Argentina now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final against England or Norway.