Paris 2024: Sharp reactions after Argentina vs Morocco gets 15 minutes added time
- Fans were left bewildered after Morocco's game against Argentina at the Paris 2024 Olympics was added 15 minutes
- Morocco had raced to a surprising 2-0 lead after 51 minutes before Argentina bagged an equaliser at the end of extra time
- More drama unfolded after fans invaded the pitch with VAR rescinding Argentina's goal for an offside in the build-up
Morocco's opening game of the football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics was marked by a controversial officiating call.
Led by Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi, the North Africans took to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard against Argentina in the first Group B game.
Source: Getty Images
Argentina were quickly off the blocks, but it was Morocco who drew the first punch courtesy of some brilliant work by Bilal El Khannouss to find Soufiane Rahimi at the back post.
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Rahimi doubled his side's advantage after the break after Ilias Akhomach was fouled inside the area by Julio Soler.
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Argentina, who are under the tutelage of former international Javier Mascherano, dug deep, with substitute Guiliano Simeone halving the deficit in the 68th minute.
Why was Argentina vs Morocco added 15 minutes?
As the South Americans pressed on for an equaliser, the game took a surprising turn after 15 minutes of extra time was added at the end of the second half. Cristian Medina thought he had drawn Argentina level in the 16th minute of stoppage time.
Fans react to unusual extra time at Paris 2024
The added time elicited sharp reactions from fans online, with fans thinking Argentina had managed to grab a point.
@Awal4PF said,
"Another tournament rigged for them,"
@Mich_Alex said,
"They had to add 15 mins extra time. Then Argentina scored in the 16 minutes, and they ended the game immediately. They are never beating the allegations."
@David said,
"What a horrible start to Olympic Men’s football. Legitimately no justifiable reason to add 15 minutes of extra time, which has just robbed Morocco of a major win."
Argentina vs Morocco completed after one hour
But in a crucial twist, some fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, prompting police and stewards to step in. The crowd trouble forced the officials to halt the match pending a VAR review.
Medina's equaliser was chalked off for offside, but by this time, the players had retreated to the dressing rooms as security officials dealt with the pitch invaders.
ESPN reports that the players returned to the pitch after almost one hour and completed the remainder of the match. Morocco held on to their lead to register a famous win over the 2008 champions.
Messi picks 2024 Ballon d'Or favourites
In another report, YEN.com.gh disclosed that Argentina captain, Lionel Messi named Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe among the frontrunners for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
The Ballon d’Or, which both Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have largely dominated over the last decade, saw the Argentina captain add another to his record-extending accolade following his triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Source: Legit.ng
