Argentina stunned by Morocco in chaotic Olympic opener.

Argentina’s quest for a third Olympic gold medal in men’s football began with a surprise 2-1 loss to Morocco on July 24. The Group B encounter at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne was marred by a pitch invasion by Moroccan fans and a controversial VAR rule overturning Argentina’s late equaliser.

Morocco controlled the contest in the first half, with Soufiane Rahimi scoring just before the break. Rahimi extended the Atlas Lions’ lead with a penalty kick in the 51st minute. Argentina hit back with a goal from Giuliano Simeone in the 68th minute, but their comeback failed.

Cristian Medina believed he had equalised for Argentina in the 16th minute, sparking jubilant cheers from the Argentine players and spectators. However, the celebrations were cut short after a VAR review declared Medina offside, prompting Moroccan fans to invade the field.

After a two-hour delay, action resumed behind closed doors, with the referee blowing the final whistle just minutes later to ensure Morocco’s victory. The result was a major upset, leaving Argentina to work hard in their remaining group matches.

The fans’ invasion cast a shadow over Morocco’s upset.

The dramatic events on the field were overshadowed by the destructive actions of some Moroccan fans. Their invasion of the field not only caused considerable delays but also raised security concerns for future matches.

Argentina left to rue the missed chances.

Argentina’s performance was a far cry from their usual dominance. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, they did not have the edge to penetrate Morocco’s strong defence in the first half.

VAR decisions sparked debate.

The offside call that overturned Medina’s score with the help of VAR was a big topic of discussion. While some believed it was the right decision, others claimed it was a harsh call that cost Argentina a valuable point.