Egypt suffered a devastating collapse in their World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, losing 3-2 after leading 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining. The Pharaohs were on the verge of their greatest-ever World Cup result, and a first quarter-final appearance, before Argentina mounted a furious comeback. Cristian Romero began the surge in the 79th minute, followed by a Lionel Messi equalizer four minutes later. Enzo Fernandez then secured the dramatic victory with a header in stoppage time.

Furious Egyptian players and staff felt robbed by VAR decisions. Mostafa Zico's second-half goal was disallowed for a minimal foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez, a decision Egyptian football expert Ahmad Yousef called inconsistent with the tournament's officiating. They also claimed Mohamed Salah was fouled in the box seconds before Argentina's winner. Head coach Hossam Hassan stated, "We have suffered an injustice."

The loss marks a bitter end to Egypt's World Cup campaign, having secured their first-ever win earlier in the tournament. For captain Mohamed Salah, who will be 38 at the next World Cup, this may have been his final appearance on the global stage. Egypt's exit leaves Morocco as Africa's sole representative remaining in the competition.