SAINT-ETIENNE, France — O Olympic men’s football tournament got off to a violent and chaotic start on Wednesday with Morocco’s shock 2-1 victory over two-time gold medalists Argentina.
The result tells only part of the story after the dramatic end to the match in Saint-Etienne, which had to be suspended for almost two hours when angry Moroccan fans invaded the pitch and threw bottles from the stands to protest Argentina’s late goal in the game. 16 minutes into stoppage time.
The furious and bizarre scene led to confusion over whether the game had been completed or paused. The fans were asked to leave the stadium, but the players remained in place and returned to the field for the last three minutes of stoppage time in an empty stadium.
Moments before play resumed, Cristian Medina’s contested goal was ruled out by VAR for offside and Morocco held on for victory.
But not before a furious reaction from their fans, who felt they had been denied a critical victory against one of the powerhouses of international football.
Objects were thrown and invading Morocco fans were approached by security at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard pitch after Medina appeared to level the game at 2-2.
There was footage of some Argentine players wincing as what appeared to be a flare was thrown onto the pitch. Bottles and glasses were scattered across the field when the game was stopped.
It was initially thought that the final whistle had been blown. Even the FIFA website declared the game over.
About an hour after the incident, the organizers present at the scene confirmed that the match had not officially ended and that VAR would analyze whether the goal was valid.
The players finally took to the field after a long delay and began to warm up before the game could be completed. After warming up, players from both teams entered the field in the empty stadium while a referee watched the video. He gave a brief explanation to Argentina while the players on the Moroccan bench celebrated.
The game continued for around three minutes after the restart before the final whistle.
Morocco led the game 2-0 before Argentina reacted. Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute before Medina’s shot sparked chaotic scenes.
The game was broadcast in cafes across Morocco, where national pride has soared since the country advanced to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. During a record heatwave, men drinking tea shouted at televisions and watched in a state of shock as fans invaded the pitch.
Zak Eddakir, a 28-year-old from Rabat, said the fans’ reaction had to do with the importance of football in Morocco and a natural disappointment with the draw and the idea that the referee’s decision could end the game.
“In football, it’s normal,” he said. “When you see something like this, it is very difficult for the fans. Here, football is life. Even the king supports this.”
Hairdresser Khadija Seffany took to the streets to hug her friends and neighbors after Morocco emerged victorious. She initially thought the delay in scoring the offside goal suggested the referees wanted Argentina to win because Morocco is an Arab country. Every match during the Olympics will be important, she said.
“Here we are one of the best in the world. We drink football. We eat football,” said Seffany.
___
AP Writer Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, contributed to this report.
___
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
