Egypt seething after squandering two-goal lead, losing to Argentina at World Cup

ATLANTA — For Mohamed Salah and Egypt, what could have been a glorious celebration turned ugly at the end.

On the cusp of upsetting the defending World Cup champion, the Pharaohs squandered a two-goal lead late in the game and fell to Lionel Messi and Argentina 3-2 in the round of 16 on Tuesday.

The winning tally came two minutes into stoppage time and set off a wild scene in front of the Egyptian bench.

A red card was shown to goalkeeping coach Saafan Elsaghir, who had to be physically restrained from going after French referee Francois Letexier.

Multiple yellow cards were doled out to those griping vehemently about Argentina's final goal.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan held up both arms in an “X” shape — the signal in soccer for calling out racial abuse — and stated flatly that his upstart squad was victimized by a soccer establishment that wanted Messi and Argentina to advance to the quarterfinals in their pursuit of a second straight title. “We have been treated unfairly today,” Hassan said. “We have suffered injustice.” In a tournament already marred by allegations that