Argentina Lost 1-2 To Morocco In A Chaotic Opening Match, France Wins Easily

JAKARTA - The opening match of 2024 Olympic football between Argentina and Morocco on Wednesday, July 24, was marked by chaos due to the invasion of spectators. In this match Argentina lost 1-2 after a VAR review after the game was suspended with a 2-2 draw.

Cristian Medina from Argentina scored in injury time to save a 2-2 draw, but the referee's decision ruled out a goal because the offside was only delivered about two hours after the game was suspended.

After order was restored in Saint-Etienne and the team left the pitch due to an invasion of spectators, they just found out that the match was not over but was suspended by officials.

The venue manager said the match had been discontinued, adding that the decision on whether the match would resume was being discussed.

Tim kembali muncul di lapangan untuk menyelesaikan pertandingan di stadion kosong, bermain selama tiga menit dan 15 detik setelah VAR menyelesaikan penyelidirannya dan menganulir gol tersebut.

"I don't remember anything like this happening at this level, the game was stopped for an hour and a half, warming up for 10 minutes, then playing three minutes," said Argentine manager Javier Mascherano, quoted by VOI from Reuters. "What's going on on the pitch is a scandal, it's not an environmental tournament, it's the Olympics."

Organizers later said they were working with stakeholders to understand the cause of the field invasion and determine the right action. In FIFA matches, usually matches are delayed or interrupted 10 minutes before the match is over, the referee can state that the game is over, by blowing the long whistle. However, in this Olympic match there is only 3 minutes left and the referee does not make that decision.

In that match, Soufiane Rahimi scored twice for Morocco, the second goal from the penalty spot at the start of the second half, before Giuliano Simeone hit back for the 2004 and 2008 gold medalists in the 68th minute.

Meanwhile, France's hosts made a good start in their Marseille game with two goals in eight minutes and a final header from the Loic Bade gave them a 3-0 win over the United States.

Captain Alexandre Lacazette made a large crowd cheer with incredible long-range shots to open the scoring before Michael Olise's good shot doubled the lead for Thierry Henry's side.

After the drama at St-Etienne, the organizers were relieved that the opening match of Group D Israel against Mali at the Parc des Princes in Paris took place without incident.

A 1-1 draw was played amid tight security due to increasing geopolitical tensions.

Diallo Hamidou's own goal put Israel ahead 11 minutes after the break, but Doumbia Cheickna equalized for the African side with a fine header in the 63rd minute.

Earlier in the same venue, Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opening Group C match despite difficulties in finding their rhythm at the start of the match.

Spain, a silver medalist three years ago in Tokyo, took the lead in the 29th minute against Uzbekistan with a close-range finish from Marc PubILL.

Uzbekistan, encouraged by spectators, equalized just before halftime thanks to Eldor Shomurudov's penalty following a VAR review of Pau Cubarsi's foul.

Spain squandered a golden opportunity to restore the lead after the break when Sergio Gomez's penalty was saved by Abduvohid Nematov, but the Real Sociedad player redeemed himself when he found the net in the 62nd minute.

"For me, Uzbekistan is not a surprise," said Spain coach Santi Denia. "We have achieved our goal, but it is a very difficult match and now is the time to improve. That's my job, I have to say better."