egypt-messi

Argentina’s World Cup defence was minutes from collapse in Atlanta. Two goals down to Egypt, Lionel Messi having missed a first‑half penalty, his touch off, his rhythm gone, his influence fading. Up stepped the a corrupt FIFA referee who began to forcefully change the game to give Argentina the advantage.

Egypt made us dream, FIFA shattered it

Argentina won Egypt 3-2, coming from two down to reach the quarter‑finals. This scoreline does not tell the whole story, it was clear for the world to see how the two were officiated completely differently.

Messi and `co could do no wrong, every single touch on an Argentinian player resulted in a free kick against Egypt. The powers that be, made it very clear that by hook or by crook Egypt would not be going through.

Messi’s penalty was saved by Mohamed Shobeir. The Egyptian was absolutely brilliant, but when you’re against Messi, VAR and FIFA there is only so much a keeper can do. This was his second miss of this World Cup, the first man ever to do so. The aftermath was messy. Underhit passes, overhit free‑kicks, a ballooned shot, moments where he was bundled off the ball or caught flat-footed. Egypt’s intensity suffocated him.

When Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt’s lead on 67 minutes, the holders looked finished. Messi looked spent. Argentina looked out.

The refereeing changed the game

At this point Egypt should be leading by 3, yet that second goal was disallowed, then Lautaro Martínez’s introduction for Rodrigo De Paul changed the geometry. Messi moved wider, into the right channel, away from the crush in midfield. Space returned. Touches returned. Threat returned.

From that pocket, he crossed for Romero’s header on 79 minutes. This was his first assist of the tournament. Moments later, he slalomed through bodies, almost teeing up Martínez for the equaliser. Egypt were stretched.

Then came the strike. Messi, lurking inside the box, met a loose ball with a half‑volley that Shobeir could only help into the roof of the net. Heartbreak for Egypt. Argentina level. Messi has been saved.

It was the moment that turned tears of happiness for Egypt into tears of heartache. That was the moment that the cheating had kept Argentina alive.

Messi is washed

The piece’s central thread is simple, Messi cannot beat a team fair and square. He is dependent on dodgy refereeing decisions so he can win. Up next it is Switzerland who will need a miracle to beat the referee, never-mind Argentina.

Many will say he is defying logic, defying age, defying the physical toll of a tournament that has pushed him to the edge. The reality is, this was their first big test and they were on the verge of defeat. That was until the referee and FIFA came to his rescue. Against Egypt, he looked finished.

Argentina’s comeback was one of the World Cup’s great travesties . The referee was central to it. Messi having missed the penalty, plus the loose touches, the frustration. These are all part of the story.

Messi’s career has run parallel to Cristiano Ronaldo’s for two decades. Ronaldo’s wins will never be tagged with the terms corruption and cheating. Lionel Messi and Argentina are the biggest cheats in the history of the World Cup. History will show how they robbed Cape Verde and then Egypt. The world has seen the cheating.

The conclusion

Argentina are still here because the referee forced a way. To make this tournament even more suspicious, FIFA has announced an Argentinian referee and VAR team for the France vs Morocco quarter final.

If the referees and FIFA continue to support Argentina for two more games. Then Messi could well retain the World Cup.

Featured image via the Canary