Egypt 'cheated' in controversial World Cup exit to Messi's Argentina, says Hassan

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his side had been "cheated" out of a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Tuesday.

"I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan said in an explosive press conference.

The Pharaohs had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0, VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.

Zico did then put Egyptian on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time by doubling their lead.

However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who had a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser with his eighth goal of the tournament.

The controversy did not end there, though, as in the build-up to Argentina's winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

"We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play," Hassan said.

"A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the (shirt) being pulled back."

Hassan said he would not watch any more matches of the tournament, such was the injustice he felt.

"I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup," he added.

"This is my own way of speaking up."

- 'They wanted Messi' -

After Yasser Ibrahim's header put Egypt in front, Argentina were awarded a penalty for a trip on Nicolas Tagliafico.

Messi's problems with World Cup penalties continued as his effort was saved by Mostafa Shobeir.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has now failed to score four of his eight non-shootout spot-kicks at the World Cup, including two misses at this tournament.

Hassan speculated that the officials had been put under pressure to keep one of the biggest names in the competition.

"Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," he told BeIn Sports.

"In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level."

Hassan also complained about the scheduling of the match for a noon kick-off (1600GMT), just four days after both sides had won their round of 32 matches.

"Whoever schedules those matches has never played football. You never schedule a game for 12pm. At noon you go for a walk or to eat brunch, you do not go to play football.

"When are the players supposed to eat? At 7.30am?

"There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch."

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© Agence France-Presse