Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in chaotic opening sport of 2024 Olympics marred by crowd bother; match in Saint-Etienne delayed for over an hour with VAR disallowing Argentina’s stoppage-time equaliser after gamers returned to subject to finish sport in empty stadium
Crowd bother within the opening Olympics soccer match noticed Argentina’s stoppage-time equaliser dominated out almost two hours later after play was suspended to offer Morocco a chaotic 2-1 win.
Morocco led the Group B conflict 2-1 and within the closing levels of the sport Argentina hit the body of the objective twice earlier than midfielder Cristian Medina struck within the sixteenth minute of stoppage time to stage the match in Saint-Etienne.
Nonetheless, his equaliser sparked objects being thrown onto the pitch and gamers had been taken off for his or her security as Morocco followers invaded the pitch in Lyon.
Supporters had been then requested to depart the stadium with a message being projected on screens that learn: “Your session has been suspended, please depart the stadium.”
After virtually two hours with out play, the sport resumed behind closed doorways with three minutes left on the clock and Medina’s 106th-minute leveller was chalked off for an offside within the build-up.
The sport completed 2-1 to Morocco because of Soufiane Rahimi’s double.
An announcement on Thursday by Video games organisers stated: “The soccer match between Argentina and Morocco on the Saint-Etienne Stadium was suspended attributable to a pitch invasion by a small variety of spectators.
“The match then restarted and was capable of conclude safely. Paris 2024 is working with the related stakeholders to know the causes and establish acceptable actions.”
Mascherano: Largest circus I’ve ever seen
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano branded the occasions that unfolded on the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard because the “greatest circus” he had ever seen in his life.
“I am unable to clarify what occurred. We spent about an hour and a half within the dressing room the place they by no means advised us what was going to occur,” Mascherano stated.
“The Moroccan captains did not need to play, we did not need to proceed, and followers threw issues at us. It is the most important circus I’ve ever seen in my life, I do not know why they spent an hour and 20 minutes reviewing a play.
“If there may be offside in Medina’s objective let the sport go on with the momentum we now have, I do not suppose the sport needs to be performed for 3 minutes after an hour and a half.”
How the chaos unfolded in footage…
Argentina thought they’d levelled the sport in stoppage time.
Argentina’s celebrations led to bottles and cups being thrown by Moroccan followers, with some invading the pitch.
The sport was then suspended with followers requested to depart the stadium.
After over an hour, the sport resumed at an empty stadium and Argentina’s equaliser was disallowed by VAR for offside.
Morocco noticed out the ultimate three minutes to win a chaotic and dramatic sport.
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