Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko has launched a scathing attack on match officials following his side’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, claiming the refereeing was unfair and saying “the tournament is fixed.”“Egypt appeared on course for one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history after taking a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute. However, Argentina made a stunning late comeback, with Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez who scored in 13 minutes to send the three-time world champions to the quarter-finals.One of the most important moments of the contest came early in the second half when Ziko found the net, only for the goal to be overturned following a VAR review. The officials ruled that the Egyptian forward committed a foul in the build-up. Although Ziko later got on the scoresheet, a disallowed effort proved to be the key moment of the match.Speaking to the broadcaster after the final whistle, an emotional Ziko questioned the officiating and suggested that the result was influenced by the referees.“Unfair, unfair, referee, unfair. Injustice, clear and obvious injustice. He wasted the efforts of the whole country. From the beginning of the match, he was against us. We will not be allowed to leave as 2-0 winners against Argentina. The tournament is fixed. God is enough for us, and He is the best assigner of affairs.”The Egypt forward also apologized to the supporters, insisting that the players did everything they could.“We want them to be happy now. We can’t do that. But I swear it’s out of our hands. It is in the hands of the referee. The tournament is fixed, it’s clear. “Egypt got off to a nightmare start when Yasser Ibrahim headed home from Marwan Attia’s corner in the 15th minute. Argentina had an immediate opportunity to respond after Nicolas Tagliafico won a penalty, but goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made an incredible save to deny Messi from the spot.Shobeir continued to frustrate the defending champions by keeping out efforts from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, while Messi also hit the crossbar with a free-kick as Egypt took a 1-0 advantage into the interval.The Pharaohs thought they had doubled their lead shortly after the start through Ziko, but VAR intervened to disallow the goal. Egypt responded positively, however, and finally made it 2-0 in the 67th minute when: Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan combined to set up Ziko for a clinical finish.Argentina’s response was swift. Romero headed in Messi’s free-kick in the 79th minute to reduce the deficit before Messi leveled the scores four minutes later with a powerful strike that went under the crossbar after brushing the goalkeeper’s gloves.With extra time looming, Enzo Fernandez completed the dramatic stoppage time turn, firing a low finish into the bottom corner after latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the box.Argentina’s 3-2 victory secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of the Round of 16 meeting between Switzerland and Colombia on July 8.