Argentina staged a stunning comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta on Tuesday but there were a few controversial moments in the game ahead of Enzo Fernandez’s winning goal
Ian Wright questioned the decision to not award Egypt a penalty
Ian Wright has claimed Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt should have been disallowed for a foul on Mo Salah. The reigning world champions staged a stunning comeback against their African opponents in Atlanta.
They had initially fallen 2-0 behind following goals from Mostafa Shobeir and Ziko. Cristian Romero gave his side a foothold with a brilliant header, before Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez scored late on to complete the turnaround for the reigning world champions.
But the Chelsea man’s winning strike caused controversy, with Egypt forward Salah sure he should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up. VAR chose not to intervene.
Wright, on punditry duty for ITV Sport, claimed that the goal should have been struck off due to a foul on Salah, who was furious in the aftermath. He said: “That’s what happening with VAR now, they’re pulling it back.
“If you’re going to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the box to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this one with Mo Salah. He’s been caught. Whatever we say, it might be minimal, he’s been caught and then they go up the other end.”
Colleague Roy Keane said: “The only thing I’d say with this one when he does cut, why does his legs give way?”
Fernandez’s late goal was not the only controversial incident in the game. Argentina were also awarded a penalty midway through the first half for a foul on Tagliafico and despite protests from the Egyptian team, it did not matter all that much, with Messi missing.
Ziko had seen a goal ruled out by VAR for a foul on Tagliafico earlier in the move. And Wright believed that was also the wrong decision. He added: “If we’re going to start, is that what VAR is for? That’s a long way to go back and it’s a long way to go back for Argentina to compose themselves.”
Asked if an Argentina goal would be struck off in similar circumstances, Gary Neville replied: “Unlikely.”
Salah was furious that he was not awarded a penalty vs Argentina(Image: Getty Images)
Roy Keane then added: “You go back through football, the bigger teams do seem to get the benefit of these decisions but it shouldn’t take away from what Argentina have also achieved. You’re 2-0 down with 10 or 11 minutes to go. The credit has to go to Argentina. The big teams seem to get the benefit of these decisions.”
Regardless of the result, Argentina now head into the quarter-finals and still have a chance to retain the trophy. Lionel Scaloni’s side will take on either Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight of the World Cup.
