Egypt national team defender Rami Rabia revealed that the Pharaohs were the better side against Argentina, pointing out that some refereeing decisions affected the course of the match.
Rami Rabia
Club: Al Ain
Egypt's national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup from the round of 16 after losing to Argentina 3-2.
Rabia said via MBC Egypt: "You can outperform any opponent, no matter his name, if justice is served and the refereeing is good; as we say in football, we were the best against Argentina and outperformed them in the overall events of the match".
He continued: "We won most of the duels, and we agreed before the match on the necessity of winning every shared ball, and nothing occupied us except achieving victory in any way".
He added: "Mustafa Shobier's save of the penalty kick gave us greater confidence, because football is a team game, and when I look at my teammate next to me I draw energy and enthusiasm from him".
He revealed: "The referee was awarding every contact in favor of the Argentine players, while fouls against us passed without being called, and these may seem like simple matters but they greatly affect the course of the match".
He continued: "I am not saying that the refereeing is the main reason, but these matters affect us on the field and in return give the opponent greater confidence".
He concluded: "After they scored their goal their morale rose while ours declined, because we felt we were not even getting the simplest of our rights in the match".
Regarding the scene of his defense of Egypt national team full-back Mohamed Hani during his statements to journalists, he said: "What happened in the scene of my question about Mohamed Hani was not a joke at all, and if you want to discuss with me something concerning me there is no problem, but do not talk to me about my teammate; if you have something you want to say to him, go and tell him yourself".
He continued: "Perhaps the questioner made a mistake, but he apologized, and I accept the mistake when its owner acknowledges it and apologizes for it; I also make mistakes and apologize, and there is no problem in apologizing".
He added: "I did not tell Mohamed Hani what happened, because we respect each other's feelings, and when he learned about the matter he came and thanked me and said to me: 'Thank you very much for your reaction, but if I were in your place my response would have been different'".
He concluded: "Mohamed Hani only wishes that people appreciate the effort he puts in; there is no player who enters any match wanting to make mistakes".
President Sisi received the Egyptian national team this morning at the presidential palace in Alamein to honor the Pharaohs after their return from the World Cup.
President Sisi awarded all members of the Egyptian national team delegation the Order of Sports of the First Class in honor of them.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also made sure to extend an invitation to have lunch with the team in honor of what they presented in the World Cup.
