Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez has dismissed controversies surrounding refereeing decisions during the FIFA World Cup 2026, commending match officials for their performance after Egypt criticized calls in their round-of-16 defeat to Argentina.

The South African side, which came from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory over Egypt, faced backlash from the Egyptian Football Association over VAR decisions, particularly the disallowing of a goal by Mostafa Zico in the 62nd minute.FIFA’s refereeing chief, Pierluigi Collina, defended the officials, rejecting allegations of bias and emphasizing their independence.Martinez, speaking to reporters, stated that referees were doing an excellent job and urged the media to avoid generating unnecessary controversies.

Argentina’s focus remains on their upcoming quarter-final clash against Switzerland, with Martinez acknowledging the European side’s strength and commitment.Defender Cristian Romero echoed this sentiment, stressing the team’s dedication to self-improvement and preparation for the match.The article highlights the balance between acknowledging officiating decisions and maintaining sportsmanship in high-stakes tournaments.