A huge crowd of Egyptian football fans filled the area outside El-Alamein city airport on 10/7 to welcome the national team returning from North America. They danced to drumbeats, sang patriotic songs, and waved pictures of head coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mohamed Salah.
"We are very proud of the team", fan Mohamed Gehad said. "Their spirits are high, and so are ours".
After landing, the Egyptian players boarded an open-top bus, parading through the Mediterranean coastal city. The national team is expected to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 11/7. On social media, al-Sisi thanked the players for "playing their hearts out".
The Egyptian national team was welcomed by fans upon returning home on 10/7. Video: *BBC Sport*.
This year, Egypt secured its first victory at one World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the group stage. The national team continued to make history by beating Australia on penalties in the knockout round to advance to the round of 16 against Argentina.
The North African team came very close to achieving one of the tournament's biggest upsets, leading Argentina two-zero until late in the second half. However, the defending champions staged a dramatic comeback in the final 10 minutes to win three-two.
"They reached a milestone Egyptian football had never touched. We are very proud of them", said fan Eyad Ahmed.
"I will do everything in my power for this to be a new beginning for Egyptian football on the international stage", player Salah wrote on social media the same day.
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Fans welcome the Egyptian national team at El-Alamein airport on 10/7. Photo: *AP*.
The match between Argentina and Egypt on 7/7 garnered attention after coach Hassan accused the referees of biased officiating to allow the defending champions to advance. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) filed a complaint on 8/7 against the refereeing team for the match with Argentina.
"The EFA cannot remain silent regarding the refereeing decisions in the match against Argentina, as well as the improper use of the video assistant referee (VAR) system", the statement said. "Several important situations raised serious concerns and questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly impacted the match".
FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina issued a statement the same day, asserting that debates about referee decisions are part of football, but stressing that "baseless accusations have no place in this sport".
"No one can doubt the integrity of the referees officiating matches at the FIFA World Cup", Collina said.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)
