CAF Sends Message to Egypt After Dramatic World Cup Elimination by Argentina
- CAF has sent a message to the Pharaohs of Egypt after their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 elimination
- Egypt led 2-0 until the 78th minute before Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s 3-2 comeback victory in Texas
- The Pharaohs played in the knockout stage for the first time and were so close to reaching the quarter-final
The Pharaohs of Egypt have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16 by defending champions Argentina.
Egypt appeared to be progressing to the quarter-final after leading Argentina 2-0 until the 78th minute, but succumbed to a 3-2 loss to the champions.
Source: Getty Images
Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had put Egypt ahead before captain Lionel Messi assisted Cuti Romero and scored himself to make it level.
The match appeared to be heading for extra time, but Lautaro Martinez broke on a counter and sent a well-placed cross for Enzo Fernandez to head home.
La Albiceleste triumphed and will face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarter-final, in what could possibly be a repeat of the 2024 Copa America.
CAF sends message to Egypt
The Pharaohs looked set to join the Atlas Lions of Morocco as the second African team in the quarter-final, but fell short in the closing minutes.
CAF shared a post on their official X page with a message for the Egyptians after a record-breaking appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“History has already been written, Pharaohs. Thank you for everything. 🇪🇬❤️,” the post reads.
It was the first time Egypt had won a game and progressed out of the group stage at the World Cup, despite being the first African nation to feature in 1934.
The journey was historic and it lays a foundation for the future generation of Egyptians to build on in subsequent World Cup campaigns.
Hossam Hassan blows hot
Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan claimed that his side were better than the defending champions, but the result was influenced by the officiating.
“We looked better than the reigning champions, better in everything, but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it,” Hassan told reporters, via ESPN.
“Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.
“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level.”
Source: Getty Images
Hassan added that the French referee François Letexier was under pressure from the Argentine because of the 2022 final between France and Argentina.
FIFA has put itself in the spotlight for a similar outcome after appointing an all Argentine official for France’s quarter-final match against Morocco.
Messi reacts after Argentina’s win
Legit.ng previously reported that Lionel Messi shared his thoughts after Argentina’s dramatic World Cup Round of 16 victory over the Egyptians.
Messi admitted that it was a difficult match as with every other match at the World Cup, and was emotional after the game because they won.
Source: Legit.ng
