The opening men’s football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Paris 2024 Olympics ended in scandal, with Morocco securing a shock 2-1 victory in an encounter marked by a chaotic finish. Soufiane Rahimi scored twice for Morocco, giving them a commanding 2-0 lead. Argentina managed to claw one back in the 68th minute through Giuliano Simeone, and the game extended into a contentious 16 minutes of added time.
VAR Chaos and Pitch Invasion
In the 16th minute of stoppage time, Cristian Medina appeared to score a dramatic equalizer for Argentina. However, the goal led to a pitch invasion by Moroccan fans who protested the extended injury time. Play was halted for nearly two hours as fans threw objects onto the field, forcing officials to clear the stadium. Despite initially appearing to end in a 2-2 draw, VAR intervened, ruling Medina’s goal offside.
The final decision resulted in a 2-1 win for Morocco, and Argentina’s head coach Javier Mascherano was furious, labeling the event a “scandal.” The bizarre series of events has left Argentina fuming, while Morocco celebrated a famous Olympic victory Sporting News.
Key Highlights:
- Soufiane Rahimi: Scored both goals for Morocco.
- Giuliano Simeone: Scored Argentina’s only goal.
- Controversy: VAR ruled out a late Argentina goal, and fan disruptions caused long delays.
This chaotic opening to the Olympic football tournament has already sparked debate, and Argentina will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment in their remaining group games.
