Argentina coach Javier Mascherano was furious after the first match of the 2024 Paris Olympics erupted in chaos on Wednesday when fans stormed the pitch in the dying seconds.
Morocco put themselves in a commanding position after Soufiane Rahimi struck twice in the Olympics opener in Saint-Etienne.
La Albiceleste reduced the deficit through Giuliano Simeone’s goal in the 68th minute.
They thought they had salvaged a superb 2-2 draw when Cristian Medina scored in the 16th minute of stoppage time.
However, chaos ensued as fans invaded the pitch and footage showed some Argentina players ducking to avoid objects being thrown towards them.
The players were taken off the pitch for their own safety and it looked like the match had ended.
But fans were cleared from the stadium and the teams reemerged nearly two hours later to play out the remaining three minutes.
Medina’s stoppage-time goal was also ruled out for offside after a VAR review, and Morocco held on to secure a 2-1 victory. Mascherano was fuming after the game.
“I can’t explain what happened,” Mascherano told reporters (per the Guardian). “We spent about an hour and a half in the dressing room where they never told us what was going to happen,”
“The Moroccan captains didn’t want to play, we didn’t want to continue, and fans threw things at us. It’s the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.
“I don’t know why they spent an hour and 20 minutes reviewing a play. If there is offside in Medina’s goal let the game go on.
“With the momentum we have, I don’t think the game should be played for three minutes after an hour and a half.”
Argentina will take on Iraq in their next game on Saturday, while Morocco will go head-to-head with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the other match, thanks to goals by Marc Pubill and Sergio Gómez.
