Egypt's Zico Criticizes Referee After Loss to Argentina

Jul 7, 2026

66 min

Jul 7, 2026 20:30

'It was a rigged game': Egypt's Zico blasts referee after Argentina defeat

## Controversial World Cup Match

Egypt's forward Mostafa Zico has voiced strong criticism against the refereeing decisions following their 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup Round of 16. Zico described the match as "rigged" due to several contentious calls that went against Egypt.

## Key Moments of Controversy

The match saw Egypt initially take a 2-0 lead, only for Argentina to mount a comeback, culminating in a last-minute goal by Enzo Fernandez. A pivotal moment occurred when Zico's goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul, and Egypt's appeals for a penalty after Mohamed Salah was fouled were ignored.

## Zico's Reaction

Zico expressed his frustration, stating that the referee was biased and unfair throughout the match. He felt that Egypt was targeted and that the officiating played a significant role in their defeat.

## VAR Debate

The use of VAR in this match has reignited discussions about its impact on football. Critics argue that VAR's intervention in disallowing goals for minor fouls detracts from the game's flow and excitement.

## Egypt's Missed Opportunity

Despite the officiating controversies, Egypt's inability to maintain their lead is also seen as a factor in their loss. Leading 2-0 with limited time remaining, they failed to hold off Argentina's resurgence, led by Lionel Messi, who once again demonstrated his exceptional skill.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents