The Olympic men’s soccer tournament began in a tumultuous manner on Wednesday with Morocco’s surprising 2-1 victory over two-time gold medalist Argentina.
The outcome only scratches the surface of the story after a dramatic conclusion to the match in Saint-Etienne. The game had to be halted for nearly two hours when enraged Morocco fans invaded the pitch and hurled bottles from the stands in protest of a late goal by Argentina during the 16th minute of added time.
The chaotic and aggressive scene led to confusion about whether the game had ended or been paused. Although the crowd was instructed to vacate the stadium, the players remained on the field and resumed play for a final three minutes of added time in front of empty seats.
Just before the game recommenced, Cristian Medina’s controversial goal was overturned by VAR due to offside, securing the win for Morocco.
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The Argentine soccer federation lodged a formal complaint with FIFA to address the serious incident.
“Paris 2024 is collaborating with relevant parties to investigate the causes and implement necessary actions,” stated a spokesperson for the Paris organizers.
Morocco fans reacted vehemently to what they believed was a denied victory due to Medina’s goal against a formidable opponent in international soccer.
Security tackled invading Morocco fans as objects were thrown onto the field at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard after what seemed to be Medina’s game-tying goal.
Initial reports suggested the match had ended, with even FIFA’s website declaring the game over.
About an hour later, venue organizers clarified that the match had not officially concluded and that VAR would review the goal’s validity.
After a lengthy delay, players returned to the field and completed the match. Following warmups, players from both sides stood on the field while an official reviewed the video, offering an explanation to Argentina while Morocco’s bench celebrated.
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The game resumed for about three minutes before the final whistle was blown.
Morocco had a 2-0 lead before Argentina mounted a comeback. Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute, setting the stage for the chaotic scenes following Medina’s goal.
The match was watched in cafes across Morocco, where national pride soared following the country’s advancement to the 2022 World Cup semifinals. Despite record-breaking heat, spectators passionately watched as fans stormed the field.
Zak Eddakir from Rabat acknowledged the emotional impact of the game, highlighting the significance of soccer in Moroccan culture and the disappointment of a potentially game-altering call by the referee.
Hairdresser Khadija Seffany celebrated Morocco’s victory with neighbors, initially suspecting bias in the delayed offside decision. She emphasized the importance of every Olympic match.
“Here, we’re one of the best in the world. We drink football. We eat football,” Seffany expressed.
