– Completely unreal. That was Lionel Messi’s immediate reaction on Instagram after Argentina’s opening match at the Olympics. He has himself won Olympic gold with Argentina, but is not in this year’s championship. 16 minutes into extra time in the game against Morocco, the South Americans cheered for what they thought was Cristian Medina’s equaliser. TOO EARLY: Cristian Medina celebrates the goal, which was canceled long after the game. Photo: Reuters The scoring came after a fierce bonanza of chances, and everything indicated that Argentina had secured 2-2 and a draw against Morocco in spectacular fashion. It would turn out that the drama was far from over. Throwing fireworks and storming the field First, objects were thrown onto the field, at least one of them a type of firework that made a loud bang that startled several Argentine players. Moroccan spectators then stormed out onto the grass, and the security guards had a big job in order. – It ruins the match, believes news’s football expert Åge Hareide. The players were sent to the dressing room, and it seemed at first as if the match was over, as the goal came 16 minutes into overtime. The referees had announced that 15 minutes had been added, among other things as a result of a number of pitch storms also during the match. CHAOS: The crowd stormed onto the pitch when Argentina scored 16 minutes into extra time in the second half. Photo: Reuters Continued for empty stands Argentina’s coach Javier Mascherano was one of those who was very surprised when it turned out that the match had never been finished. In addition, a look at VAR’s images showed that the score should have been canceled for a fine offside. The organizers therefore chose to send the players out in a new warm-up, this time in front of empty stands. EMPTY STANDS: The spectators have been sent home when the last part of the match starts. Photo: AFP Four hours after the match started, the players were ready to continue. The Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg then canceled the last goal, before starting the match at 2–1 to Morocco. – It is historic. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Morocco didn’t want to play those (extra minutes) and neither did we. We waited an hour and 40 minutes, but no one said anything to us. It makes you helpless because you are in the Olympics, said Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi. In the three minutes remaining, Argentina tried to create a chance to equalize, but were unsuccessful. When the referee blew the match off, the result was thus 2–1 to Morocco. STAR: Argentina’s Julian Alvarez tried in the last part of the match, but failed to score. Photo: AFP Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi became the big hero with his two goals for Morocco, but the match will be remembered for its dramatic and long ending. – A warning Argentina coach Mascherano reacted strongly after the match. – The biggest circus I have seen, he said. The coach reacted to the behavior of the spectators, but not least to the long time that passed before the decision was made. Åge Hareide believes that what happened in the final minutes of the match was very devastating. – It is not good for the sport at all. The sport is taking a completely wrong direction. Everyone must calm down and let the fight take its course, says Hareide. – This is again a warning about what can happen. It has not been a problem in the past. This is something that all supporters’ unions must take care not to happen. Last weekend, VAR protests stopped the elite series match between Rosenborg and Lillestrøm: Published 24/07/2024, at 18.54 Updated 24.07.2024, at 20.48
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Complete chaos fight for empty stands – Olympics Paris 2024
