Argentina's Olympic Soccer Opener Marred by Controversy and Chaos
- The opening of the Paris Summer Games was marked by chaos, prompting the Argentina coach to label the event as a 'circus'.
- His remarks highlighted concerns over the organization and atmosphere at the event.
- The coach's strong criticism reflects broader dissatisfaction with the Olympics’ management and its impact on athletes.
In a dramatic start to the Olympic soccer tournament, Argentina faced Morocco in a match that ended in chaos at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne. Morocco took an early lead with two goals from Soufiane Rahimi, but Argentina fought back, with Giuliano Simeone scoring in the 68th minute. The match took a tumultuous turn in the dying moments when Cristian Medina appeared to equalize in the 106th minute, igniting celebrations among Argentine players and fans. However, the joy was short-lived as Medina's goal was ruled out for offside, leading to a pitch invasion that forced officials to halt the game. Fans stormed the field, prompting the players to be taken off for their safety. The match was interrupted for nearly two hours as security cleared the stadium, leaving players in the locker rooms while tensions escalated outside. Once the situation was under control, the teams returned to play the final three minutes in front of empty stands, with Morocco ultimately securing a 2-1 victory. Argentina's coach, Javier Mascherano, expressed his outrage, calling the incident a "circus" and criticizing the decision to resume play after such a lengthy delay. He emphasized that the Olympics should not be treated like a local tournament. As the Olympic Games continue, the incident raises questions about the organization and safety protocols in place, with the opening ceremony set to take place on Friday.