FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey says Argentina were lucky to see TWO controversial decisions go their way as they booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The defending champions made a stunning late comeback to seal a 3-2 win over Egypt.

Egypt had a goal ruled out for a foul on Lisandro Martinez following a VAR review

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey reckons Argentina were lucky

But Pharaohs striker Mostafa Zico sensationally claimed the showdown had been “rigged” to allow Argentina to progress.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan also launched a scathing attack on ref Francois Letexier after his side had a goal chalked off and were not awarded a spot-kick.

And Halsey, 64, reckons VAR Jerome Brisard was WRONG to intervene after Zico’s second half strike.

Argentina were instead awarded a free-kick for a foul on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez in the build-up.

Halsey said: “There were two big talking points in the game. As we know, the IFAB protocol means all goals are checked.

“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.

“But they have. They’ve looked at it and asked the referee to look at the monitor. Obviously, the goal was disallowed and a free-kick was given to Argentina.”

Egypt were also seething when they were not awarded a penalty after Mo Salah, who quit Liverpool at the end of last season, was tripped by Julian Alvarez.

Argentina then went on the counter-attack following the incident – leading to Enzo Fernandez bagging a stoppage time winner.

And Halsey feels a spot-kick should have been given after Egypt were penalised for a similar challenge on Martinez.

SunSport’s ref expert added: “This is where, for me, the inconsistency comes in.

“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.

“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.

“They’ve got involved in the Martinez incident, so VAR should have got involved in the Salah incident.”

Egypt took a shock lead through Yasser Ibrahim and their hopes of a stunning upset increased when keeper Mostafa Shobeir saved Lionel Messi’s penalty.

Having had an earlier goal disallowed, Zico then doubled the underdogs’ advantage.

But Cristian Romero, Messi and Fernandez broke Egyptian hearts with their late efforts.

The winner came after Salah appeared to be brought down by Arsenal transfer target Alvarez.

Argentina will now face Switzerland with a place in the World Cup semi-finals up for grabs.

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39684915/argentina-lucky-inconsistent-var-egypt-world-cup-mark-halsey/