Argentina's Olympic Soccer Team Faces Turmoil Amid Robbery and Loss

Argentina's men's soccer coach, Javier Mascherano, revealed that the team's Olympic training base was robbed prior to their disappointing tournament-opening match against Morocco. The incident prompted the Argentine delegation to file a police complaint in Lyon, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office in nearby Saint-Etienne. Mascherano expressed his discontent, stating, “They went into training and they robbed us, in the Olympic Games,” highlighting the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the team's preparations. The robbery has compounded the challenges faced by the Argentine squad, which has a storied Olympic history, having won gold medals in 2004 and 2008. The team's troubles were further exacerbated by their chaotic match against Morocco, which ended in a shocking 2-1 defeat. The game was marred by a near two-hour suspension after Moroccan fans stormed the field in protest of a disallowed equalizing goal by Cristian Medina, which was overturned following a VAR review. In the aftermath of the match, Mascherano noted that midfielder Thiago Almada's watch was among the stolen items, underscoring the team's difficult start to the tournament. The Argentine soccer federation has since lodged a formal protest with FIFA, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring player safety amid these unsettling events. As the team grapples with both the robbery and their loss, the focus now shifts to how they will respond in the upcoming matches of the Olympic tournament.