The controversy over Egypt’s disallowed goal in the World Cup round of 16 continues to stir debate around the world. Overnight, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the critics after Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win.
Argentina was far from convincing for much of the match, and Lionel Messi even missed a penalty that was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. But three goals from the 79th minute onward, including an equalizer by Messi, gave Argentina the win before extra time.
Before the comeback, however, came the moment that sparked the uproar. Egypt scored after a brilliant individual move by Haitham Hassan, a goal that would have given it a 2-0 lead, but it was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul on Lisandro Martínez at the start of the move.
The decision drew criticism around the world, much of it directed at French referee François Letexier.
During the broadcast, commentator Darren Fletcher said: “VAR is a curse.”
BBC pundit Alan Shearer went further, saying: “I think, and I can say what I want here, it’s absolute nonsense. It really is. It’s no wonder there are so many theories, it stinks. They’ve gone back 110 meters to disallow the best goal of the tournament, saying it’s a ‘clear foul’?”
Later in the match, Egypt claimed it should have been awarded a penalty after Mohamed Salah was brought down, but VAR did not intervene. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan sharply criticized the officiating after the match, saying: “We did not see respect or fair play.”
Mamdani has now added his voice to the criticism. Speaking at a public event about the time New Yorkers would save from the addition of bus lanes, he joked: “It means agreeing with your friends that Egypt were robbed yesterday.”
The crowd responded with applause.