Morocco wins against Argentina in Dramatic Comeback
The 2024 Paris Olympics football tournament kicked off in thrilling fashion on Wednesday as Morocco wins against Argentina in Dramatic Comeback in a match filled with drama and excitement.
Argentina, known for their Olympic successes in 2004 and 2008, found themselves in a precarious situation, trailing Morocco by two goals. Morocco’s dynamic play, bolstered by senior team members Ashraf Hakimi, Munir El Kajoui, and Soufiane Rahimi, saw them take a commanding lead.
The first half was largely controlled by Morocco, who capitalized on their early opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded with a goal in the 23rd minute, and they doubled their advantage just before halftime, putting Argentina under significant pressure.
The second half saw Argentina rally, driven by a sense of urgency and determination. The South Americans began to dominate possession, creating numerous chances. However, it wasn’t until the final moments of the game that Argentina’s persistence paid off. The match entered a frantic period of injury time, with an astonishing 16 minutes added on, much to the bewilderment of the Moroccan side.
Argentina’s relentless pressure finally bore fruit in the dying seconds. Cristian Medina rose to the occasion, heading in a stunning equalizer to level the score at 2-2, securing a vital point for his team. The match was suspended as the fans invaded the stadium. The late goal sparked an angry reaction from some Morocco supporters, who threw bottles and flares onto the field with others invading the pitch. The referee then postponed the game three minutes before full-time. The match was later resumed in an empty stadium.
However this goal was later ruled out by VAR due to an offside. The Moroccan camp was visibly frustrated with the extended injury time.
In other matches, Spain edged out Uzbekistan with a 2-1 victory, marking a historic Olympic debut for the Central Asian team. Eight games were played across seven French cities, highlighting the widespread excitement and competitive spirit of the Olympic football tournament.
The men’s Olympic football squads feature under-23 players, with the allowance of three overage players per team, providing a mix of youthful exuberance and experienced leadership. The women’s competition, which begins on Thursday, has no age restrictions and is set to showcase some of the best talent in the world.
Both the men’s and women’s finals will be held in Paris at the iconic Parc des Princes, promising to be a fitting climax to a tournament already brimming with unforgettable moments.
Moroccan football is enjoying unprecedented success, after a historic performance of the Atlas Lions at the world cup in Qatar having qualified to the semi finals for the first time for an African team. In light of this success, Morocco along Spain and Portugal, are set to host the 2023 World cup.