In a dramatic and chaotic start to the men’s Olympic football tournament, Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 in their opening match on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne.
The game was marred by crowd trouble and a controversial disallowed goal that led to confusion and a partially empty stadium by the end.
The match seemed to be headed for a 2-2 draw when Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored a dramatic equaliser in the 16th minute of added time.
However, as Argentine players celebrated, chaos erupted in the stands. Projectiles, including bottles and plastic cups, were thrown from the crowd, and several spectators invaded the pitch. This prompted the referee to halt the game immediately.
The teams retreated from the field, and the match remained in limbo for two hours before they returned to complete the remaining three minutes in an empty stadium.
After a VAR review, Medina’s goal was ruled out for offside, and Morocco held on to secure the win.
The chaotic scenes and the subsequent delay marked an undignified start to the football competition at the Paris Games.
The situation was further compounded by the hostile reception Argentina’s players received, with boos and jeers during their entrance and the national anthem. This hostility followed allegations of racist chants by Argentine players after their Copa America victory.
Morocco’s victory was built on a strong performance from Soufiane Rahimi, who scored both goals for his team. Rahimi opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, with Achraf Hakimi providing the assist. He then doubled Morocco’s lead with a penalty in the second half after Ilias Akhomach was fouled.
Argentina’s hopes were buoyed by a late goal from Simeone, son of legendary player Diego Simeone, but their comeback efforts fell short.
The team, coached by Javier Mascherano, who led Argentina to gold in Athens and Beijing, faced a challenging start in their quest for a third Olympic gold.
The match highlighted the intense atmosphere and high stakes of the Olympic football tournament, setting a dramatic tone for the games ahead.