Argentina’s Thrilling Comeback Against Morocco
Argentina staged a dramatic comeback to draw 2-2 with Morocco on the opening day of men’s Olympic 2024 Football on Wednesday. Cristian Medina scored the equalizer in the 16th minute of added time. Argentina, aiming for their third Olympic gold in men’s football, faced a tough start in Saint-Etienne. They were down 2-0 in the Group B game due to a brace from Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi. However, Giuliano Simeone pulled one back before Medina’s last-gasp effort secured the draw.
Key Moments
- First Goal: Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi set up Soufiane Rahimi for the opener in first-half stoppage time.
- Penalty: Rahimi doubled the lead six minutes into the second half from the penalty spot after Ilias Akhomach was fouled.
- Argentina’s Fightback: Simeone scored in the second half, and Medina equalized in the 106th minute.
Argentina’s coach Javier Mascherano, a gold medalist from the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, hoped to have Lionel Messi among the three overage players. However, Messi did not participate, leaving Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and captain Nicolas Otamendi as the team’s biggest names.
Spain’s Hard-Fought Victory Over Uzbekistan
Spain, silver medalists in Tokyo, narrowly defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in their Group C opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Spain’s squad included Euro 2024 winners Alex Baena of Villarreal and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the spectators watching the intense match.
Key Moments
- Spain’s First Goal: Sergio Gomez’s free-kick led to Marc Pubill scoring just before the half-hour mark.
- Uzbekistan’s Equalizer: Eldor Shomurodov converted a penalty in first-half added time after a VAR review penalized Pau Cubarsi for a foul.
- Spain’s Winning Goal: Despite missing a penalty, Sergio Gomez scored the winner after an assist from Juan Miranda.
Spain now leads Group C, which also includes Egypt and the Dominican Republic.
Group B: Argentina vs. Morocco
- Argentina: Key players include Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi.
- Morocco: Highlighted by captain Achraf Hakimi and forward Soufiane Rahimi.
Group C: Spain vs. Uzbekistan
- Spain: Featuring Alex Baena, Fermin Lopez, and Sergio Gomez.
- Uzbekistan: Led by captain Eldor Shomurodov.
Upcoming Matches
Group B: Iraq vs. Ukraine
- Venue: Lyon
- Anticipation: Both teams aim to gain crucial points in their opening match.
Group A: France vs. United States
- Venue: Marseille
- Highlight: Hosts France, coached by Thierry Henry, aim for a medal despite missing Kylian Mbappe.
Conclusion
The opening day of men’s Olympic 2024 Football has set a high bar with thrilling matches. Argentina’s last-minute draw with Morocco and Spain’s narrow win over Uzbekistan showcased the competitive spirit and excitement of the tournament. Fans can look forward to more action-packed games as the competition progresses. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 Football from IPL365.
