Egypt boss dragged away from referee while coach sent off in furious touchline row

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan was dragged away from the referee in furious scenes after Enzo Fernandez scored a dramatic winner for Argentina.

Having led 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining, the Pharaohs were left stunned as the world champions pulled off a stunning late comeback to win 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16 clash.

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Yasser Ibrahim put Egypt in front after just 15 minutes, before Mostafa Ziko doubled their lead in the second half.

But in truly heroic fashion, defending champions Argentina fought back through Cristian Romero, before Lionel Messi equalised with a powerful half-volley on 83 minutes.

Chaos ensues

Just as it looked as though Messi had forced extra time, Chelsea star Fernandez sealed victory as he headed home in injury time.

The goal left Egypt’s players, led by Mohamed Salah, heartbroken, while it sparked chaos on the sidelines.

Believing that one of his players had been fouled in the opposition box before Argentina broke away to score, Egypt’s goalkeeping coach Saafan El-Sagheer was seen arguing furiously with referee Francois Letexier.

El-Sagheer was then shown a red card for his angry remonstration with the official, while Pharaohs’ boss Hassan was then booked as he had to be dragged away after arguing furiously.

Salah led the player protests, who felt he was fouled in the box, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir also received a booking amid this.

Later on, Egypt manager Hossam Hassan was booked and was also seen crossing his arms in front of him in an X shape which is understood to be a gesture on FIFA‘s No To Racism campaign before being dragged away from the official.

With Egypt also having a second goal disallowed earlier when they were judged to have committed a foul in the build-up to Ziko’s goal, they were left incensed as their World Cup dreams were crushed.

It marked a dramatic end to a memorable clash, which left Messi in tears at full-time, who missed a penalty before his equaliser helped fire his team to an astonishing fightback.

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After Egypt had taken an early lead, Argentina had an almost immediate chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty.

However, Messi saw his spot-kick saved by Shobeir, who made a comfortable stop by diving low to his left to preserve their surprise lead.

This marked the second missed penalty in a row from the 39-year-old, having also failed to convert against Austria in the group stage.

And with his latest failed attempt, Messi became the first player in history to miss two penalties outside a shootout at the same World Cup.

But after being left on the brink of an exit in what is surely his last World Cup, the footballing icon made his mark when Argentina needed him most.

After teeing up Romero to make it 2-1, Messi then fired in his eighth goal of the tournament by firing home a sweet half-volley.

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This was the Inter Miami star’s eighth goal of the tournament, once again making him the outright leader in the Golden Boot race.

And after Argentina pulled off an incredible turnaround to book their spot in the quarter-finals, Messi cut an emotional figure, as he was reduced to tears at the final whistle.

Meanwhile for Egypt, their players were inconsolable after defeat, having looked set to continue their historic World Cup run for most of the match.

The African nation recorded their first-ever knockout win in the tournament with victory over Australia on penalties in the last-32.

But the Pharaohs now head home in the cruellest of circumstances, with question marks over whether this will be captain Salah’s last World Cup appearance.

The recently-departed Liverpool icon will be 38 when the 2030 edition rolls around, while it remains to be seen where he will play his club football next term after his Anfield exit.