The video assistant referee (VAR) decision to disallow Egypt’s second goal against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash has been explained following the Pharaohs’ dramatic elimination.
Egypt believed they had doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Mostafa Zico finished a rapid counter-attack after being played through by Mohamed Salah.
The strike would have put the Pharaohs firmly in control after Yasser Ibrahim’s first-half opener, but celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened.
Referee overturns goal after review
Following a recommendation from the video assistant referee, French official François Letexier was sent to the pitch-side monitor to review the build-up to the goal.
After examining the footage, Letexier ruled that Egypt midfielder Marwan Attia had committed a foul in the early stages of the attacking move and disallowed the goal.
The decision left the Egyptian players visibly frustrated as Argentina were handed a lifeline before eventually completing a dramatic 3-2 comeback to reach the quarter-finals.
VAR experts support decision
According to the Archive VAR network on X, the intervention was consistent with the Laws of the Game.
The network stated:
“Correct intervention from the video technical room in the Argentina-Egypt match. Attia stepped on the foot of the pivot player Alessandro, preventing him from continuing to play.”
It added:
“The foul exists. Since the goal was scored in the same phase of play immediately after possession was regained, the incident was reviewable.”
Under FIFA’s VAR protocol, officials are permitted to review offences committed in the attacking phase that directly leads to a goal, allowing the referee to overturn the decision if a foul is identified.
Decision remains major talking point
Despite the explanation, the incident remains one of the most controversial moments of the match.
Egypt’s players and coaching staff expressed their disappointment after the goal was ruled out, believing the decision significantly altered the course of the contest.
Argentina went on to recover from a two-goal deficit, with Cristian Romero pulling one back before Lionel Messi equalised and Enzo Fernández scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory and a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
