Download Paris 2024: Morocco vs Argentina 2-1 Highlights | Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games got off to a dramatic start after Argentina’s late equaliser against Morocco was ruled out for offside more than an hour after it had appeared the game had come to an end.
Argentina came from 2-0 down to snatch what appeared to be a draw deep into injury time but the game was restarted for three minutes behind closed doors with Morocco 2-1 ahead after Cristian Medina’s header was controversially ruled out for offside.
The match kicked off at 14:00 BST and didn’t finish until more than four hours later, but Morocco eventually hung on to secure a famous victory.
Neither of these nations played at Tokyo 2020, so should have been keen to attack the tournament and make up for lost time at the Olympics.
Instead, the first 45 minutes in Saint-Etienne proved to be a drab affair. Despite a frantic start, quality was lacking and the pace of play dropped considerably.
As two minutes of added time were indicated at the end of the first half, the game finally had its first shot on target, and with it the opening goal for Morocco.
Ilias Akhomach received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the box and with some delightful skill – which looked out of place in a game lacking any flare – his back-heel found Oussama El Azzouzi whose low cross was turned in by Soufiane Rahimi.
Things got worse for Argentina early in the second half as Julio Soler fouled Akhomach in the box, allowing Rahimi to double Morocco’s lead by slotting the ball low into the corner from the penalty spot.
The 2004 and 2008 gold medallists needed a response and they got it with just over 20 minutes remaining.
A deep cross found Soler unmarked on the far side of the penalty area and his driven shot across goal was slid into the net by Giuliano Simeone.
Morocco struggled to get out of their own half as Argentina’s pressure built in the pursuit of an equaliser.
Goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui kept his team ahead with a stunning save from point-blank range, as substitute Bruno Amione headed towards goal just minutes after coming on.
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El Kajoui was the Morocco hero again when he smothered Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, who found himself mere yards from goal with no defender for company.
Argentina were not complaining when 15 minutes of stoppage time were added.
They needed every last second and it appeared their desperate attempts to level the match were finally rewarded in the 16th added minute.
El Kajoui deflected one effort onto the bar, then an Argentina follow-up was headed onto the woodwork once more before the ball fell to Medina, who nodded it in from close range to make it 2-2.
That sparked a furious reaction from Morocco fans, who threw missiles onto the field and at players in protest.
Players then left the field, signifying what was believed to be the end of the game, only for it to resume more than an hour later behind closed doors.
At the restart, officials ruled out Medina’s equaliser for offside as Morocco saw out the win.
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