Morocco’s Stunning Victory Over Argentina Sparks Chaos at Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament

The Olympic men’s soccer tournament began with a dramatic and tumultuous match on Wednesday, as Morocco shocked two-time gold medalist Argentina with a 2-1 victory. The match in Saint-Etienne was marred by chaos, culminating in a nearly two-hour suspension due to furious Moroccan fans storming the pitch and throwing bottles to protest a late Argentine goal in the 16th minute of added time.

The dramatic conclusion left players and fans in confusion over whether the game had ended or merely been paused. While the crowd was instructed to exit the stadium, the players stayed and returned for the final three minutes of added time in an empty Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Before play resumed, Cristian Medina’s contentious goal for Argentina was disallowed by VAR for offside, allowing Morocco to secure their historic win.

The Argentine soccer federation swiftly issued a formal complaint to FIFA, demanding “necessary regulatory measures for such a serious event.” A spokesperson for the Paris 2024 organizers stated, “Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions.”

The mayhem began when Moroccan fans believed that Medina’s goal had denied them a crucial victory against one of international soccer’s giants. Bottles and other objects were thrown, and fans invaded the pitch, leading to security personnel tackling them. Some Argentine players were seen flinching as a flare was thrown onto the field. By the time the game was paused, the pitch was littered with debris.

Initially, it was thought that the full-time whistle had blown, and even FIFA’s website declared the game over. However, about an hour later, organizers confirmed that the match had not officially concluded and that VAR would review Medina’s goal.

After the extended delay, players re-entered the field to warm up before resuming the match. The game continued for three more minutes before the final whistle confirmed Morocco’s victory. Morocco had led 2-0 before Argentina’s fightback, with Giuliano Simeone scoring in the 68th minute, and Medina’s disallowed goal sparking chaotic scenes.

The match was widely broadcast in cafes throughout Morocco, where national pride has soared since the country reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. Amid a record-breaking heatwave, Moroccans watched in shock as the pitch invasion unfolded.

Zak Eddakir, a 28-year-old from Rabat, reflected on the intense reaction of the fans. “In football, it’s normal,” he said. “When you see something like that, it’s really hard for supporters. Here, football is life. Even the king supports it.”

Hairdresser Khadija Seffany joined in the celebrations, embracing friends and neighbors after Morocco’s victory. She expressed her initial suspicion that the delay in calling the goal offside hinted at a bias against Morocco. “Here, we’re one of the best in the world. We drink football. We eat football,” Seffany said.

As Morocco celebrates their stunning victory, the incident underscores the deep passion and high stakes of international soccer, particularly in a country where the sport is a way of life.

#argentina #morocco #olympics #football #news #footballnews #sportznews #newssportz #fans