Argentina moves on to quarters after a 3-2 win over Egypt

Argentina beat Egypt 3‑2 in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, securing a place in the quarter‑finals where they will face Colombia. Enzo Fernández’s stoppage‑time goal sealed the win and reignited debate over French referee François Letexier’s decisions.

What sparked the referee controversy?

Egyptian striker Mostafa Ziko accused the official of bias after VAR disallowed his second goal in the 68th minute. "The referee was unfair from the first whistle," Ziko said after the match, also questioning the validation of Argentina’s third goal. Tension rose when Letexier booked several Argentine players for minor infractions.

How does this affect Argentina?

Despite the uproar, Argentina’s momentum remains strong. Their last result was a 2‑0 victory over Angola on 2025‑11‑14. The squad is also on a three‑game winning streak (3W‑0D‑0L) and Lionel Messi leads the scoring charts with seven goals in four appearances. Those figures boost the side’s confidence ahead of the next round.

What’s next for Argentina?

The upcoming clash with Colombia will be crucial to keep the World Cup dream alive. Coach Lionel Scaloni has stressed the need to focus on football and ignore external controversy. Meanwhile, fans continue to argue whether the officiating favored the reigning champions, a debate likely to linger until the tournament’s end.