New Delhi: Lionel Messi was left speechless as he reacted with ‘Insolito’ written on his Instagram story Argentina had their equaliser disallowed against Morocco in their opening game of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne. In English, Insolito means unbelievable. The incident took place when Morocco fans crashed onto the pitch to protest a late goal by Argentina’s Cristian Medina in the 16th minute of added time.
Medina’s goal didn’t go well with the Morocco fans as there were images of some Argentina players flinching when what appeared to be a flare was thrown. Bottles and cups were strewn over the field by the end. The referee took no time in suspending the game for nearly two hours as the whole stadium was emptied.
It was initially thought that the full-time whistle had been blown. Even FIFA’s website declared the game over with the result showing the match ended 2-2. However, video boards informed fans the match was suspended and they had to leave the stadium.
After Argentina equalised in the 106th minute to level their 2-2 Olympics group stage match vs Morocco, the game was suspended with angry fans storming the pitch and throwing firecrackers…
— The Football Shirt Club (@TFSCUK) July 24, 2024
About an hour after the incident, organizers at the venue said the match was not officially over and VAR was reviewing 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 warm-ups, 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’s players after the goal was overturned while players on Morocco’s bench celebrated.
Play went on for about three minutes after the resumption before the final whistle was blown with Morocco winning 2-1. The gold medal winners in 2004 and 2008 were not at their best despite lining up with recent Copa America winners Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi and Geronimo Rulli.
Leo Messi on Instragam: “Unbeliavable.”
pic.twitter.com/Wck6ZxEr1Z
— All About Argentina
(@AlbicelesteTalk) July 24, 2024
Soufiane Rahimi put Morocco ahead after Achraf Hakimi set him up from the right following a superb passing move in the final seconds of the first half. Rahimi doubled the advantage and netted his second from the penalty spot in the 49th minute before Giuliano Simeone pulled one back for Javier Mascherano’s side in the 68th.
With Agency Inputs