There was controversy galore at the World Cup when Argentina pulled off a miraculous comeback against Egypt to keep Lionel Messi’s side on course to face England – if the Three Lions can defeat Norway.
Refereeing decisions had a huge impact in the reigning world champions’ 3-2 victory over Mohamed Salah’s underdogs, who blew a two-goal lead and lashed out at the officials after the thrilling clash. Argentina will now play Switzerland, who defeated Colombia on penalties, in the quarter-finals.
That means there is the tantalising prospect of an England versus Argentina semi-final in store, if Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions – minus the injured Jordan Henderson of course – can survive the Erling Haaland test on Saturday night. Here’s everything you need to know in our daily morning round-up of the World Cup.
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Jordan Henderson breaks silence after freak injury
Jordan Henderson has spoken out after suffering a nightmare injury ruling him out of the rest of the World Cup.
The England star was caught up in a bizarre incident following the final whistle as Thomas Tuchel’s side celebrated their 3-2 triumph over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
The 36-year-old suffered a severely fractured wrist after tumbling awkwardly while trying to clamber over advertising hoardings to celebrate with the travelling supporters.
The Brentford star was stretchered from the stadium, required oxygen and was taken to hospital for treatment while his team-mates returned to Kansas City.
It was confirmed on Monday the legendary former Liverpool captain will now go under the knife – meaning he may not play for the Three Lions again.
“A night to remember that’s for sure! What an incredible performance against all the different challenges,” Henderson posted on Instagram. “So proud to be a part of this special team [emojis]. Thanks for all the support, another big one Saturday.”
Henderson earned his 90th cap for England when he entered as a substitute against Panama in the Group stage.
Switzerland dump Colombia out of World Cup on penalties
Switzerland edged out Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Vancouver, Canada to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1954.
Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez smashed his penalty against the bar and Cucho Hernandez had his effort saved by Switzerland hero Gregor Kobel, before Ruben Vargas scored the winning spot kick for the Swiss.
It followed an uneventful 90 minutes of action, before the game came to life in extra time. Jhon Lucumi came close for Colombia, but his header from a corner hit the crossbar.
Colombia could have clinched the win late in extra-time, but Campaz sent a shot sailing over following a defensive blunder from Granit Xhaka.
The South Americans endured penalty heartbreak once more, having previously fallen to England on spot-kicks at this stage in 2018.
Egypt fume at ‘rigged’ World Cup officiating after Argentina controversy
Egypt star Mostafa Ziko alleged his nation’s defeat to Argentina was fixed, while hinting the South American side are predetermined to lift the trophy.
The reigning world champions looked destined for elimination after trailing 2-0 in Atlanta after strikes from Mostafa Shobeir and Ziko. Cristian Romero handed his team a lifeline with a superb header, before Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez found the net late on to seal the comeback for the reigning world champions.
Egypt earlier had a strike chalked off by VAR due to an earlier infringement in the build-up, when an Argentina player’s foot was trod on. And they were left incensed by the decision not to grant a penalty moments before Argentina’s winning goal, both for a Julian Alvarez challenge on Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister pulling Hamdi Fathi’s shirt inside the box.
Ziko, who scored his nation’s second goal, said: “The referee wasn’t good, he was unfair. His injustice was clear. He persecuted us from the start of the match. He doesn’t want us to win. It was a rigged game. It wasn’t our fault. That referee… it seems like this match was rigged. We were winning 2-0, and he kept coming at us. Congratulations to Argentina on another World Cup, it seems.
“Even before the game started, we knew we would be facing a very strong team and one of the favourites for the title. But if they had won solely on their own merits it would have been very different for us.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan ranted: “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out and a second [incident] that should have been checked for a penalty for us was not even checked by the VAR. A second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. There seems to have been pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee that has brought about this outcome.”
He added: “”Life is unfair. The world is unfair. Okay, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports? I’m not convinced by this outcome and by the way things unfolded in this match. The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina.”
ITV pundits claim Egypt hard done to
Ian Wright insisted Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt should have been chalked off for a foul on Salah.
Wright, working as a pundit for ITV Sport, argued the goal should have been ruled out due to a foul on Salah, who was livid afterwards. 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.”
Argentina were also given a penalty halfway through the first half for a foul on Tagliafico and, despite objections from the Egyptian squad, it didn’t make much difference, with Messi failing to convert.
Ziko had a goal disallowed by VAR due to a foul on Tagliafico earlier in the play. Wright said: “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.”
When asked if an Argentina goal would be dismissed under similar circumstances, Gary Neville responded: “Unlikely.”