Haissem Hassan Rises From The Ashes Of Egypt's Defeat

Tempers continue to rise over Egypt’s second goal that was disallowed by the referees after a VAR verdict, with FIFA facing mounting criticism over allegedly favouring Argentina, the world favourites led by the talismanic Lionel Messi. FIFA also has people bending over backwards to present the official version, banking heavily on the Laws of the Game that govern international football tournaments. None other than FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, the iconic referee known for his integrity and precision, has come out in support of his referees, whom he says cannot be influenced even by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

This is a debate that will endure: whether Egypt was wronged or not. Another remarkable outcome of the match--and a positive one--is the defiance and footballing genius of a 24-year-old player who, as they say, has risen to global fame and attention from the ashes of defeat. His name is Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian national team member who plays for Real Oviedo in Spain.

What many of us remember from the spine-thrilling Egypt vs Argentina match of July 7 is Mohamed Hany and Marwan Attia trying to rein in Lisandro Martínez (it is here that the soft foul happens and you come to know about it later from slow-motion replays of the video), and Attia, who now has the ball in his possession, passes it to Hassan, who is immediately challenged by an Argentine player along the touchline. But Julián Alvarez fails to stop the confident and strong left-footed right-winger who then cuts towards the left before dribbling past the experienced Nicolás Tagliafico who loses his balance trying to tackle Hassan. Hassan then passes the ball to Mohamed Salah who deftly lays it off for the rushing Mostafa Ziko on the right, who was, as you discover rewinding continuously, in his own penalty area when Lisandro Martínez (of Manchester United) lost possession around the 58th minute deep into the Egypt’s side. In less than another 20 seconds, we witness a magnificent goal by Ziko, assisted chiefly by the young Haissem Hassan and Salah.

Those who swear by technicality and those who refuse to see any option but to disallow the goal will continue to justify FIFA, but the star who was born in the match was Hassan.

Open contributor Alan Moore, a Europe-based writer and broadcaster, had been a commentator at a match that the 18-year-old Hassan played for Châteauroux against SM Caen in 2020. The following is the note he had written back then: “Fearless runner with ball at feet, close control sublime, looks older than his years. Took on defence to lay on pass for winner. Brave.”

Meanwhile, Moore quotes Steve Kay, journalist and transfer expert, as saying, "Paul Schianchi, Hassan's agent, is reportedly in talks with clubs in Ligue 1, La Liga and Saudi Arabia over a move."

In this World Cup match against Argentina, Hassan was substituted in the 73rd minute, which, according to several football commentators, spared the defending champions further offensive pressure. Before Oviedo, Hassan had played for Châteauroux in France, Villarreal, CD Mirandés and Sporting Gijón.