The Olympic men’s football tournament got off to a violent and chaotic start with Morocco’s shocking 2-1 win against two time gold medallist Argentina.
The result only tells part of the story after a dramatic end to the match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, which had to be suspended for nearly two hours when furious Morocco fans crashed the pitch and threw bottles from the stands to protest a late a goal by Argentina in the 16th minute of added time.
The angry and bizarre scene sparked confusion over whether the game had been concluded or paused.
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The crowd was told to leave the stadium, but players remained at the venue and returned to the pitch for a final three minutes of added time in an empty stadium.
Moments before play resumed, Cristian Medina’s disputed goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and Morocco held on for the victory.
But not before a furious reaction from its fans who thought they’d been denied a critical win against one of international football’s powerhouses.
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Objects were thrown and invading Morocco fans were tackled by security on the field after Medina appeared to level the game at 2-2.
There were images of some Argentina players flinching when what appeared to be a flare was thrown onto the field.
Bottles and cups were strewn over the pitch by the time the game was paused.
It was initially thought that the fulltime whistle had been blown. Even FIFA’s website declared the game over.
About an hour after the incident, organisers at the venue confirmed the match was not officially over and VAR would review whether the goal would stand.
Players eventually re-entered the field after a long delay and began to warm up before the game could be concluded.
After warmups, players from both teams stood on the field in the otherwise empty stadium while an official reviewed the video.
He offered a brief explanation to Argentina while players on Morocco’s bench celebrated.
Play went on for about three minutes after the resumption before the final whistle was blown.
Morocco had led the game 2-0 before Argentina’s fight back.
Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute before Medina’s effort sparked chaotic scenes.
The game was broadcast in cafes throughout Morocco, where national pride has swelled since the country advanced to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
During a record breaking heatwave, tea drinking men screamed at televisions and watched in shock as fans stormed the field.
Zak Eddakir, a 28 year-old from Rabat, said the fans reaction had to do with football’s importance in Morocco and a natural disappointment at a draw and the idea that a referee’s call could end a game.
“In football, it’s normal,” he said.
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“When you see something like that, it’s really hard for supporters. Here, football is life. Even the King supports it.”
Hairdresser Khadija Seffany streamed into the street to embrace her friends and neighbors after Morocco emerged victorious.
She initially thought the delay in calling the goal offside suggested the referees wanted Argentina to win because Morocco is an Arab country.
Every match throughout the Olympics will be important, she said.
“Here, we’re one of the best in the world. We drink football. We eat football,” Seffany said.