Argentina’s 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the World Cup should have been remembered as a dramatic football (soccer) match.
Instead, parts of the internet turned it into a conspiracy theory about Jews, Zionists, FIFA, Lionel Messi, and even the referee.
After the match, claims spread online that Egypt had not simply lost to Argentina, but to “Zionism.” Some pointed to Messi’s past visits to Israel. Others accused FIFA and the referee of helping Argentina advance. The backlash escalated after an Israeli flag was seen in the stands, with Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan reportedly reacting angrily after the game.
The irony is hard to miss. Just days earlier, Hassan had publicly displayed support for Palestinians, including waving a Palestinian flag and using his platform to call for solidarity.
But when an Israeli flag appeared in the crowd, the reaction was outrage.
This is bigger than football. It is the now-familiar pattern of taking any loss, scandal, or inconvenience and finding a way to blame Jews or Zionists. It is antisemitism dressed up as sports commentary.
Egypt lost a football match. That is all.
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© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025
