7 hours ago
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"Match was rigged"
©TM/IMAGO
Argentina booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with one of the most breathtaking comebacks in the tournament’s illustrious history. With 79 minutes on the clock, Egypt led the reigning champions 2-0 and were on the verge of the biggest result in their history. Argentina’s famous resilience shone through as they produced an incredible fightback with three goals in thirteen minutes to set up a last eight clash with Switzerland. There was, however, huge controversy around Argentina’s win with Egypt fuming after they had a brilliant goal ruled out for a questionable foul and they also argued against the legitimacy of Enzo Fernández’s winner.
Zico, who had the goal disallowed, and coach Hossam Hassan went as far as questioning the integrity of the match officials with Egypt to submit an official complaint to FIFA. “That referee… It feels like this match was rigged,” said Zico. “Congratulations to Argentina on yet another World Cup, it seems”. It’s ultimately subjective whether an individual believes Argentina have benefitted from refereeing decisions during the World Cup, but it's factual that they have received double the amount of penalties than any other nation across the last two tournaments.
Which nations have been awarded the most penalties across the last two World Cups?
Before scoring the equalising goal, Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the first half. The Barcelona legend has remarkably missed half of his eight penalties at the last two World Cups - excluding shoot-outs - and he became the first player in history to miss two spot-kicks at the same tournament. As the graphic below illustrates, Argentina have been awarded eight penalties across the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, which is double than second placed England.
They’ve been handed three so far in this tournament and the five awarded to Argentina in 2022 was a record for one nation at a World Cup. England have received the second most penalties across the last two World Cups (4) with Harry Kane famously missing against France in 2022. Portugal, Brazil and France have received three spot-kicks, four nations are on two with 13 countries being awarded one.
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