Olympic Football Match Chaos: Argentina vs. Morocco
A fan invasion in the opening match of the Olympic football tournament between Argentina and Morocco on Wednesday caused chaos, with Argentina eventually beaten 2-1 following a VAR review after play was suspended with the score tied at 2-2.
Late Drama and Disallowed Goal
Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored deep in injury time to salvage what looked like a 2-2 draw, but the decision ruling out the goal was delivered about two hours after play was suspended. The teams re-emerged on the pitch to finish the match in an empty stadium, playing for three minutes and 15 seconds after VAR completed its review and disallowed the goal.
Suspension and Resumption of Play
After order was restored in Saint-Etienne and the teams had left the field following the fan invasion, they discovered that the match had not been completed but suspended by officials. The venue manager told Reuters the game had been interrupted, adding that a decision about whether the match would be completed was being discussed. The teams re-emerged just before 7:00 p.m. local time and warmed up a second time so the final minutes could be played.
Organizers’ Response
Organizers later said they were working with stakeholders to understand the causes of the fan invasion and determine appropriate measures. Despite lining up with recent Copa America winners Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Geronimo Rulli, Argentina was not at their best.
Key Moments in the Match
Soufiane Rahimi put Morocco ahead after Achraf Hakimi set him up from the right following a superb passing move in the final seconds of the first half. Rahimi netted his second from the penalty spot in the 49th minute before Giuliano Simeone pulled one back for Javier Mascherano’s side in the 68th. Medina then found the net 16 minutes into stoppage time before fans stormed the pitch and objects were thrown at players, causing chaos in the eastern French city.
Explaining the Chaos
The Argentina-Morocco soccer match at the Olympics descended into chaos and a “circus” due to a combination of factors. Here’s a breakdown:
Fan Invasion: Morocco fans stormed the pitch multiple times, throwing objects and causing disruptions throughout the match. This initially occurred when Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored an equalizing goal in the 16th minute of added time, which was later disallowed after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
VAR Delay: The VAR review led to a lengthy delay, causing frustration among players and coaches. Argentina’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, was particularly upset, feeling that the team was not informed about the review and was left waiting for an extended period.
Security Concerns: The repeated pitch invasions and fan disruptions led to concerns about player safety, prompting the match officials to suspend the game for nearly two hours. During this time, the stadium was evacuated, and fans were ordered to leave.
Resume Behind Closed Doors: When play resumed, the stadium was empty, with no fans present. This unusual scenario added to the sense of chaos and disorder.
Argentina’s Late Goal Disallowed: The VAR review ultimately disallowed Medina’s goal, giving Morocco a 2-1 win. This decision further inflamed tensions, with Argentina’s players and coaches expressing outrage and disbelief.
Lionel Messi’s Reaction: Argentina’s star player, Lionel Messi, who is not participating in the Olympics, reacted to the match’s events with a single-word post on Instagram: “Insolito” (unbelievable), accompanied by an embarrassed emoji. This reaction reflected the widespread shock and dismay at the match’s descent into chaos.
Similar Incident in Miami
A few weeks ago, a similar incident occurred in Miami. On Sunday, July 15, 2024, the Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was delayed due to thousands of fans attempting to force their way into the stadium through closed entry gates. The incident caused a security breach, with fans rushing the gates, breaking railings, and pushing past police officers and stadium attendants.
The combination of these factors – fan invasions, VAR delays, security concerns, and the disallowed goal – created a sense of pandemonium and disorder, earning the match the description of a “circus.” The unusual and unpredictable events made it a memorable, if not infamous, opening match for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament.