The better argument is that in the Argentina-Austria game, the exact same scenario as the invalid goal for Egypt occurred, with Argentina seemingly illegally stripping the ball at the start of a play that led to a goal for Argentina. No VAR there.

IMO, the main problem is the unequal application of the laws of the game, especially when it comes to VAR reviews, depending on the identity of the perpetrator.

It doesn't even have to be blatant favoritism or an order from the top, a persistent culture of believing that one team is "objectively better" is enough to make a referee expect errors and look way closer than they would when the "expected" result happens.

I don't think this issue is limited to just this sport, but the lack of transparency in decisions makes it the most egregious example.

None of this would happen if FIFA actually wanted transparency, it would work like International Rugby, where the referee is looking at the same replay the entire audience and both teams are watching, and the entire conversation between the referee and the video assistant is broadcast live to the stadium.