What happened in the round‑of‑16 clash?

Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 on July 7, overturning a 0‑2 that looked decisive. Messi missed an early penalty, but later opened the scoring and, after a draw, netted the winner in the 89th minute. The controversy erupted when, in the 67th minute, the referee reviewed a play and disallowed Mostafa Mohamed Zico’s goal for a foul on Lisandro Martínez.

Why did VAR ignite the debate?

Egyptian fans and several pundits accused VAR of favoring Argentina, arguing the review went too far back in the attack. Coach Hossam Hassan said there was no “respect or fair play”. Some outlets suggested FIFA wanted Messi to stay in the tournament to boost viewership, fueling conspiracy theories online.

What does this mean for Argentina’s campaign?

With the win, Argentina moves to the quarter‑finals on a three‑match winning streak (3W‑0D‑0L) and keeps momentum after its last official result: Angola 0‑2 Argentina on November 14 2025. The comeback bolsters squad confidence, yet the controversy could distract the side before the next hurdle against the winner of the France‑Brazil tie.

How are the key figures reacting?

Messi, after scoring the decisive goal, celebrated with teammates and stayed silent on the dispute. Martínez, at the centre of the foul, said the referee made the right call. Zico voiced his frustration, calling the decision “unfair” and implying the tournament was rigged. Meanwhile, FIFA reiterated that VAR was applied according to established protocols.