
Getty Image / Tullio M. Pugila
For the next few weeks, the sports world will be centered in Paris France, site of the 2024 Summer Olympics. While opening ceremonies aren’t until Friday, men’s soccer and men’s rugby sevens action started on Wednesday.
And, it didn’t take long for our first bit of controversy, as the end of the men’s soccer match between Argentina and Morocco was wild.
First off, while women’s soccer at the Olympics is just made up of normal national team rosters, that’s not the case on the men’s side. Instead, it’s a U23 tournament with three overage players allowed. For instance, Christian Pulisic won’t be there for the USA and Lionel Messi isn’t there for Argentina.
On Wednesday, Morocco took a 2-1 lead against Argentina deep into the second half, until Argentina scored a crazy equalizer in stoppage time.
EQUALIZER IN THE 106TH MINUTE! 😱
A wild ending to the start of the Olympic football tournaments as Argentina rescue 2-2 draw vs. Morocco with the final touch of the ball. 🥵pic.twitter.com/ymQUlGgTn4
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 24, 2024
A 106th minute goal that’s not in extra time is insane. But, it got crazier. Fans stormed the pitch.
BREAKING:
The first scandal of the Paris Summer Olympics is a fact.
The game between Morocco & Argentina has been suspended after angry Moroccan fans stormed the pitch and the crowd threw firecrackers at the Argentine players after their equalizing goal pic.twitter.com/jeDZzKQ69z
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 24, 2024
This caused the players to be evacuated to the locker rooms while authorities handled the situation. When the players were brought out, it got even weirder.
Turns out, Argentina was offside.
So, hours after the goal was given, it was disallowed. Morocco went on to pick up a massive three points as they won 2-1.
First off, it’s not a good start to the security of these Olympic Games that fans immediately gained access to the pitch. While the match wasn’t played in Paris and was played in Saint-Etienne, security was far too lax.
As for the goal being disallowed, it’s unfortunate that it happened so long after the play occurred. But, video evidence proves it was indeed the correct call.
Both teams are in Group B alongside Iraq and Ukraine.