In the opening match of the Olympic Games football tournament, in Group B, Morocco had the 2-1 lead until the 107th minute against the favourites Argentina, only to concede the equalizing goal in the last opponent’s attack! The Moroccans will undoubtedly demand some explanations, given that the added time lasted 15 minutes! Soufiane Rahimi scored a brace for the Atlas Lions, while Giovanni Simeone and the hero Cristian Medina salvaged a draw for Argentina. As for the Group C opening match, Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 thanks to Marc Pubill’s and Sergio Gomez’s goals. Eldor Shomurodov was the only scorer for Uzbeks from the spot.Medina goal for Argentina at the death. Argentina 2 Morocco 2 #Argentina #Paris2024 #OlympicGames #Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/rZ1vE5tKN4— EURO 2024 Goals (@euro24goals) July 24, 2024 Olympic gold medalists from 2008, Argentina, were firm favourites not only against Morocco in the first round but to win the entire tournament. Their manager, legendary Javier Mascherano (member of the 2008 generation), relied on the best possible squad with Man City’s Julian Alvarez, Fiorentina’s Lucas Beltran, and super-experienced captain Nicolas Otamendi, while Giovanni Simeone started the match on the bench. On the other hand, Morocco’s biggest strengths were Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, Monaco’s winger Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Villareal’s prospect Ilias Akhomach.🚨🏅 GOAL | Argentina 0-1 Morocco | Soufiane RahimiMOROCCO HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD !!!!!pic.twitter.com/GSvJz18Wzx— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 24, 2024 During the first 20 minutes, Argentina controlled the game, but without a concrete attempt to break the deadlock – a couple of corner kicks and possession advantage were the only things La Albiceleste managed to do. Conversely, Morocco mainly focused on defence and occasional counterattacks, but with no notable result. Both teams were more nervous than expected, committing a number of harsh fouls. On top of that, in the first half an hour, neither team had a single shot! And when everybody expected the ref’s final whistle, Morocco opened the scoring in added time! Achomach magically found Bilal El Khanouss with a superb heel touch. The Genk midfielder crossed the ball for Soufiane Rahimi, who shocked Argentina from point-blank range.Argentina’s nightmare continued just a few minutes into the second half! Julio Soler pushed Achomach in the box, and the Swede referee, Glenn Nyberg, didn’t hesitate – penalty! Rahimi took the spot kick and put the ball behind Geronimo Rulli’s back for the second time. Mascherano reacted immediately, subbing Simeone in for Kevin Zenon. Argentina’s gaffer’s sub paid off in the 69th minute! Soler somewhat redeemed himself for the penalty, sending a perfect cross to the far post, where Simeone netted the goal of hope for La Albiceleste.Paris Olympics: Erratic Shujaa fall to Argentina in openerMascherano’s squad got a confidence boost and continued attacking, which resulted in another great chance, but the Moroccan keeper Munir amazingly stopped the sub’s Bruno Amione’s header. The 35-year-old goalie made another outstanding save nine minutes before the end when he stopped Alvarez one-on-one, keeping his team’s lead. As the game was closing to the end, both teams’ players became increasingly nervous, causing Nyberg to book as many as five players in the last half an hour. However, the ref added as many as 15 minutes (?!), and the Argentinians used it to equalize in the dying minutes! The ball deflected from the bar two times, only to eventually be put into the net by Boca Juniors midfielder Cristian Medina – 2-2! The Atlas Lions and their fans will be furious with Nyberg, while La Albiceleste managed to save their skin incredibly. In the other match in Group B, Ukraine faces Iraq later today (8 pm).🚨🏅 GOAL | Spain 2-1 Uzbekistan | Sergio GomezSERGIO GOMEZ HAS GIVEN SPAIN THE LEAD !!!!!pic.twitter.com/as5ONvkytV— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 24, 2024 At Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, the Spaniards were dominant from the beginning of the match, but Uzbekistan resisted for almost half an hour. In the 29th minute, Almeria’s Marc Pubill gave Spain the lead. Sergio Gomez crossed the ball in the box from a free kick, Abel Ruiz flicked it, and the 21-year-old defender easily found the net from close range. After that goal, Uzbekistan raised their level of play and equalized in added time. Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev went down in the box, and the ref, Dahane Beida from Mauritania, pointed to the penalty after the VAR signal. Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov was impeccable from the spot to level the score just before the break.Fourteen minutes into the second half, another penalty was awarded, this time to Spain. However, Uzbekistan keeper Abduvakhid Nematov saved Gomez’s shot! Nevertheless, only three minutes later, the former Man City midfielder corrected his mistake, smashing the ball inside the left post and making it 2-1 after Juan Miranda’s assist! This turned out to be the decisive moment of the match since the Uzbeks couldn’t level once more and salvage at least a draw, while Spain noted the first three points, perhaps harder than expected. Egypt and Dominican Republic will complete the first round in Group C.OLYMPIC GAMES – FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTGroup stages – Round 1WednesdayArgentina – Morocco 2-2 (0-1)/Simeone 68, Medina 90+16 – Rahimi 45+2, 51 pen/Uzbekistan – Spain 1-2 (1-1)/Shomurodov 45+3 pen – Pubill 29, Gomez 62/Guinea – New Zealand 0-1 IN PROGRESSEgypt – Dominican Republic 0-0 IN PROGRESS20:00: (4.70) Iraq M23 (3.50) Ukraine M23 (1.80)20:00: (2.10) Japan M23 (3.40) Paraguay M23 (3.60)22:00: (1.48) France M23 (4.40) USA M23 (6.75)22:00: (2.55) Mali M23 (3.15) Israel M23 (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
