The Olympic football tournament got off to a chaotic start as the opening match between Argentina and Morocco was interrupted by a fan invasion at Saint-Etienne. With the score tied 2-2 deep into injury time, Argentina’s Cristian Medina netted a goal, but celebrations were short-lived. After a lengthy delay, a VAR review ruled out the goal, handing Morocco a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Argentina vs Morocco Match Marred by Fan Invasion and VAR Drama
Confusion reigned supreme after the final whistle. Fans stormed the pitch, forcing a suspension of the match. When order was restored, and the teams returned expecting to resume play, they were met with an empty stadium. The venue officials confirmed the match had been halted, not finished, with a decision about its completion pending.
Argentina, featuring Copa America winners Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Geronimo Rulli, failed to impress despite their star power. Soufiane Rahimi opened the scoring for Morocco just before halftime, with Achraf Hakimi providing the assist. Rahimi doubled the lead from the penalty spot shortly after the break, before Giuliano Simeone pulled a goal back for Argentina’s manager Javier Mascherano’s side in the 68th minute.
Medina’s Goal Cancelled, Chaos Erupts
Argentina seemed to have snatched a dramatic win when Medina found the net in the 16th minute of stoppage time. However, jubilation turned to frustration as fans invaded the pitch, throwing objects at players. The ensuing chaos forced officials to abandon the remaining seconds of the match.
After a two-hour delay, officials utilized VAR to review Medina’s goal and the events leading up to it. The decision went in Morocco’s favor, with the goal being disallowed and the final score confirmed as 2-1 to the North African nation.
Spain Edges Uzbekistan in Group C Opener
Elsewhere in Group C, Spain secured a narrow victory against Uzbekistan. Marc Pubill opened the scoring for the Spaniards in the 29th minute, but Uzbekistan fought back just before halftime. A VAR review for a foul by Pau Cubarsi resulted in a penalty, which Eldor Shomurodov converted to equalize.
Spain missed a golden opportunity to retake the lead when Sergio Gomez’s penalty was saved. However, Gomez redeemed himself soon after, scoring in the 62nd minute to secure a hard-fought 2-1 win for Spain.
The chaotic scenes in the Argentina-Morocco match cast a shadow over the opening day of the Olympic football tournament. However, Spain’s victory over Uzbekistan showcased a more controlled display, providing a much-needed dose of normalcy to the competition.
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