Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has criticized the use of VAR during Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup, arguing that officials made key errors that unfairly impacted the outcome. Egypt, who led 2-0 at halftime, were left furious after two controversial decisions went against them, including a disallowed goal and a denied penalty claim.
VAR Intervention on Zico's Disallowed Goal
Egypt striker Mostafa Zico thought he had doubled his team's lead in the second half after a swift counter-attack, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a foul on Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez at the start of the move. Halsey told The Sun: "The second goal that Egypt scored through Zico was a fantastic goal. Do we want goals like that ruled out? They've gone all the way back for a foul on Martinez, which is correct because VAR can check from that moment as it's in the same phase of play. But was it enough? Was it a clear and obvious error for VAR to get involved? I would say no."
Halsey emphasized that the on-field referee's decision not to award a foul was not a clear and obvious error, so the goal should have stood. Despite the setback, Zico did score shortly after, but Argentina fought back to level the game through Lionel Messi and others.
Inconsistency with Salah Penalty Claim
In the dying moments, Egypt's Mohamed Salah went down in the penalty area under a challenge from an Argentina defender, but the referee waved play on. Argentina then counter-attacked and scored the winning goal through Enzo Fernandez. Halsey pointed out the inconsistency: "Salah goes into the box and he's caught by the defender before Argentina go up the other end and make it 3-2. If you're looking at the Zico goal and the challenge on Martinez, if that's disallowed for a foul then exactly the same has got to be applied to Salah. You could argue both are the same, so why haven't VAR got involved in the Salah incident? If they do, they have got to give a penalty to Egypt."
Halsey concluded that VAR should not have intervened in either incident, but having intervened in the Martinez challenge, it should have also reviewed Salah's claim. "For me, VAR should not have got involved in either, but as they got involved in the Martinez challenge, they have to look at the Salah challenge and that's where the inconsistency lies. We have seen so many inconsistencies now involving VAR and, for me, you either get involved in neither of them or you get involved in both of them."
Egypt's Outrage and FIFA Complaint
Egypt were reportedly furious with the match officials and have filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding that the referees be removed from the tournament. The defeat eliminated Egypt from the World Cup, while Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals. Halsey's comments add fuel to the ongoing debate about VAR's role and consistency in major tournaments.
