The events of the match between Argentina and Morocco also made Lionel Messi react.
Men’s The opening day of the Olympic football on Wednesday saw a strange episode when the players of Argentina and Morocco were called back to the field after waiting for more than an hour.
In extra time of the match, Argentina Christian Medina scored a 2–2 equalizing goal, after which Moroccan fans ran onto the field. The players were led to their dressing rooms as pints flew towards the celebrating Argentina players.
The match was marked as suspended due to fan activity. The break lasted almost two hours, after which the players were brought back to the field to play the final moments of the match to an empty stand.
As the match continued, however, Argentina’s goal before the break was disallowed. The VAR review had judged the situation to be offside. Morocco eventually won the match 2–1.
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano described the events at the end of the match as a circus.
“It is shameful that something like this happens and it is allowed to poison the tournament. This doesn’t even happen in a neighborhood tournament. Pathetic,” Mascherano rumbled.
Argentina’s star player has also weighed in on the mix-up Lionel Messi.
“It’s special,” Messi wondered in his Instagram story.
Messi himself is not included in Argentina’s Olympic team. However, he was about to win gold at the Copa America played in July.
Lionel Messi follows his country’s performances from outside the team.
Morocco and Argentina will play in Group B of the Olympic tournament with Ukraine and Iraq.