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Argentina Beats Egypt, Messi Rigging Allegations Spur FBI Probe

7/10/2026

Summary

Argentina Advances

Argentina beat Egypt 3–2 on July 7, 2026, to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said he will not watch, claiming it is rigged for Lionel Messi.
FIFA’s referee committee said officials face no outside influence despite Egypt’s complaints.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation into the Argentine Football Association during the tournament.
FIFA lifted U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban and pledged VAR audio release.

Summary

Argentina’s Comeback

Argentina’s stoppage-time comeback, sealed by Enzo Fernández’s header, marked the first knockout win after trailing 2-0 in 13 attempts.
Lionel Messi’s eighth tournament goal gave him a one-goal lead over Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, despite missing four of eight World Cup penalties taken outside shootouts.
Switzerland reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, the tournament’s last Cinderella.

Summary

Messi Unleashed

Ibrahimovic said Messi “flipped a switch” after Argentina fell 2-0, becoming an unstoppable animal.
He noted that despite winning every Ballon d’Or, Messi still seeks more and shows relentless drive.
Ibrahimovic described the shift in Messi’s demeanor when elimination loomed as the catalyst for a sensational comeback.
The interview was recorded on July 8, 2026 after Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Egypt in Atlanta.

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Argentina Advances

Argentina beat Egypt 3–2 on July 7, 2026, to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said he will not watch, claiming it is rigged for Lionel Messi.
FIFA’s referee committee said officials face no outside influence despite Egypt’s complaints.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation into the Argentine Football Association during the tournament.
FIFA lifted U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban and pledged VAR audio release.

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