ATLANTA — Egypt was in absolute delight, believing it has scored a beautiful team goal to go ahead 2-0 on Argentina, the favorite in their round of 16 contest and the reigning World Cup champion.
Egpyt came flying down the right side with Haissem Hassan, who, after a zig-zagging run, played to Mohamed Salah. The Egypt star found Mostafa Ziko, who finished past Dibu Martinez.
Instead, the goal was ruled out for a foul before the attacking move started.
French referee François Letexier was sent to the video monitor and saw a foul from Marwan Ateya on Argentina center back Lisandro Martinez that, while in Argentina’s final third, he adjudged to have started the attacking phase for Egypt on the move that led to the goal.
After VAR review, Egypt’s goal is disallowed due to a foul in the offensive build up pic.twitter.com/WB7WgVGpQL
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026
There was confusion in the stadium when Letexier made his announcement, but when the large halo scoreboard adjusted the number under the Egypt flag from “2” to “1”, Argentina fans cheered as though they had scored a goal.
Lionel Messi took the subsequent free kick, and Argentina continued its search of the equalizer. Instead, Egypt hit next, again getting a pass from Hassan to set up Ziko.
Egypt later scored a second goal in the 67th minute before Argentina tied it with a pair of late goals.
The winner of the contest will move into the quarterfinals against the winner of Colombia’s game with Switzerland. The loser is eliminated.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Egypt goal against Argentina ruled out for foul before attacking move started
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