For me it’s not really about the goals because Egypt also has to take some responsibility of how they fell apart in the end (though I do understand their frustrations that led to how it ended). And bigger teams sometimes does get favourable refeerering, I’m not going to pretend I don’t notice that either. But I think it’s very very blatant when it comes to Argentina. The lack of cards in situations you know other teams would’ve gotten one, Romero against Salah is just one example from yesterday, Messi’s foul earlier on. There is always some controversy around that team.
I also can’t stand the hype around CR and Messi. No one can say that they are not talented, but one is a narcissist and the other is just frankly, a dirty player.
Yeah, I agree about Egypt falling apart, but as you said, I undertand that frustration had influence in how everything developed for them. Hosts also tend to have a more favourable refereeing, but all of them are out already, not even the US remains despite everything.
And, yeah, we focus a lot in the goals and the pens, but, I also think the lack of cards and lack of punishment in agressive situations plays a big part. They know they are not going to be punished so they play to their most agressive way all the time. An egyptian player was elbowed in the face (I don't remember who) and no faul, no card was even given. It's not consisten with the *soft* fauls and, at times, literal dives that, are, in turn given to Argentina.
I, honestly, think if they hadn't crossed paths in the same league, in opposite teams, the rivalry wouldn't have gone as far. I think Messi benefited from CR7 being an, overall, prick. He also benefits from not talking too much to the media. The whole PR of Messi being humble and super nice, lol. I remember this guy starting fights in La Liga. If I had any respect for him as a player I lost it when they played The Netherlands in that match. His overall attitude, him provoking the dutch bench while they were being robbed and insulting Werhost for no reason... I never looked back
