​Argentina’s latest World Cup victory stirred a wave of speculation and hot takes, with some fans suggesting the match might have been fixed in favor of Lionel Messi and his teammates. The South American powerhouse climbed back from a two-goal deficit, netting all three of their goals after the 79th minute to defeat Egypt and secure a spot in the Round of 16. The late drama included contentious moments with VAR and a series of 50-50 calls by the match officials, prompting criticisms from Egypt supporters and international followers who felt the officiating swung against them.
In a recent appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show, Andrés Cantor, the legendary Telemundo announcer who is proudly Argentinian, pushed back against those accusations, labeling them “B.S.” Cantor described the comeback as the wildest he’s ever called, expressing disbelief that Argentina could be knocked out so late in the game before rallying to victory. He emphasized that there was no evidence of any foul play or match manipulation impacting the result.
Cantor suggested that even entertaining the idea of a rigged game is implausible, arguing that no one would anticipate a scenario where a supposed rigging would result in a 35-7 scoreline at the two-minute warning. He stressed, instead, that if any manipulation existed, it would have had to occur much earlier. “That narrative about the game being fixed and all that B.S., come on,” Cantor said. “I don’t know how you rig a game anyways. But you wouldn’t think that a rigged game at the Super Bowl would be 35-7 at the two-minute warning. No chance. If you rig anything, you rig anything way before [that].”
The Egyptian Football Association and Egypt’s head coach publicly voiced “serious concerns” over refereeing decisions and the use of VAR after the match. One of Egypt’s goals was ruled offside late in the game, and there was debate over a potential red card for Messi for what some viewed as illegal contact with an opposing player. Early on, Argentina was awarded a penalty, though Messi missed the spot kick, adding another layer to the contentious on-field moments.
Cantor’s connection to Argentina has led some to question potential bias, but his stance—rejecting the rigging theory—reflects a broader sentiment shared by many pundits: refereeing controversies can color a match, yet do not prove that a game was fixed. The discussion underscores how a dramatic late comeback can fuel conspiracy theories while also highlighting the importance of objective analysis and fair play in the eyes of fans around the world.
The debate surrounding this match continues to be a talking point for media outlets, fans, and analysts as they weigh the impact of officiating, VAR decisions, and the emotional rollercoaster of a high-stakes World Cup group-stage clash. This story gained renewed attention in sports headlines and online discussions, with Cantor’s comments serving as a counterpoint to the rigging allegations that circulated in the aftermath of Argentina’s dramatic win over Egypt. This recap, compiled for SEO and broader audience reach, captures the key moments, the controversy, and the veteran commentator’s perspective, reflecting the ongoing discourse that followed one of the tournament’s most memorable comebacks.