Argentina starter praises World Cup referees: "Excellent work"
Argentina minimized, this Friday (10), the controversy surrounding World Cup refereeing. Defender Lisandro Martínez stated that the referees have been doing an "excellent job" after criticism from Egypt in the 3-2 defeat in the round of 16.
The Argentines secured a place in the quarter-finals by staging an unlikely reaction. The team trailed 2-0 until the 34th minute of the second half, but scored three times in the final minutes and eliminated the Egyptians in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.
After the match, the Egyptian Football Federation complained about the use of the video referee (VAR), especially the cancellation of a goal by Mostafa Zico in the 17th minute of the final stage. The move would extend the Africans' lead to 2-0.
The head of FIFA refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, came to the defense of the referees after the match. The director rejected accusations of favoritism and stated that decisions were made independently by the arbitration team.
Lisandro Martínez avoids controversy over refereeing
When asked about the subject, Lisandro Martínez preferred not to fuel the discussion and praised the work of the referees during the World Cup.
"No, absolutely nothing", replied the defender when asked if he would like to comment on the tournament's refereeing.
"I think they are doing an excellent job. This is something for you (the press), who sometimes create controversy. We care about doing our best on the field and nothing else", added the Argentine defender.
Argentina faces Switzerland this Saturday (11), in Kansas City, in the quarterfinals. Current world champions, the team highlighted their respect for their European opponents, but highlighted that the focus remains on maintaining their own level of performance.
-
Change imageChange image
1 of 19
Enzo Fernández scored Argentina's winning goal against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
2 of 19
Messi celebrates the equalizer against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
3 of 19
Enzo Fernández scored Argentina's winning goal against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
4 of 19
Messi celebrates the equalizer against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
5 of 19
Romero scored a header against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
6 of 19
Egypt players celebrate second goal against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
7 of 19
Egypt players celebrate second goal against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
8 of 19
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after conceding Egypt's second goal to Mostafa Zico #11 of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
9 of 19
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Mostafa Zico #11 of Egypt celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) - Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
10 of 19
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Yasser Ibrahim #2 of Egypt scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
11 of 19
Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
12 of 19
Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
13 of 19
Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
14 of 19
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Mostafa Shoubir #23 of Egypt celebrates after making a save on a penalty by Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
15 of 19
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Yasser Ibrahim #2 of Egypt celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) - Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
16 of 19
Lionel Messi misses a penalty for Argentina against Egypt in the World Cup - Buda Mendes/Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
17 of 19
Yasser Ibrahim scored a header against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
18 of 19
Mostafa Shobeir, Egypt goalkeeper, saved Messi's penalty - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
19 of 19
Egypt players celebrate Yasser Ibrahim's goal - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
default view
full view
grid view
Argentina plans a duel against Switzerland
"As always, what identifies this team is respect for the opponent", said Lisandro Martínez.
"If Switzerland reached this stage, it's because they have a lot of merit. We watched their game against Colombia and they always try to play. They are very strong physically and also in set pieces. I think it will be a great spectacle because both teams try to play," he said.
Defender Cristian Romero reinforced his teammate's speech and stated that the Argentine team is more concerned with correcting its own mistakes than studying its rival's characteristics.
"Regardless of who we face, the name of the opponent or where they come from, we always focus on ourselves and on correcting the mistakes we make", declared Romero, scorer of the first goal in Argentina's victory over Egypt.
Understand why the FBI investigates the Argentine Federation during the World Cup
Source: CNN