World Cup while you were sleeping: VAR robs Egypt, Messi magic saves Argentina
Another day, another example of VAR not being used properly. Argentina escape potential upset, while Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties
As one famous TV commentator might have said after watching Argentina’s remarkable 3-2 win over Egypt, “name on the trophy”. A famous manager might also have exclaimed, “football, bloody hell”.
The breathtaking result in Atlanta, which conjured images of that night long ago in Barcelona, kept the defending champions on course for the final, when for all the world it looked as though their luck had finally run out.
Whether it was luck or the result of a helping hand from VAR and referee Francois Letexier rather depends on your point of view. Although, those convinced Fifa wants to see a certain player return to the final now have more evidence to support that particular conspiracy theory.
And while it’s probably better to avoid using the term manifest destiny, even if the tournament is being held in the United States, there is a growing feeling that Argentina are fated for greatness once more.
There was nothing great about the final match in the last 16, where Switzerland and Colombia decided to see if they could bore each other into submission. So it is at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that we will start this wrap-up of what happened while you were sleeping.
