CORNERFLICK
Jamie Carragher and Alan Shearer have both criticised the officiating in Egypt’s 3-2 defeat by Argentina, with VAR decisions in the knockout tie coming under fresh scrutiny.
Egypt led 2-0 before Argentina fought back to win and end their World Cup run, but the match was overshadowed by two major incidents. Mustafa Zico’s 58th-minute goal was ruled out after the referee reviewed a VAR check at the pitchside monitor and judged that a foul had been committed on Marwan Attia in the build-up.
Carragher said the goal would probably have stood against another opponent, and argued that similar incidents in the Premier League, La Liga or Serie A would have been given even after VAR intervention.
Shearer also took to X to vent his frustration, writing that either both incidents were fouls or neither were. He was referring to the disallowed Egypt goal and a later challenge on Mohamed Salah before Enzo Fernández’s winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
Egypt players felt they should have been awarded a penalty, but the referee allowed play to continue and did not consult VAR before the decisive goal went in.