SAINT-ETIENNE, France — The opening match of the Olympic men’s soccer tournament turned into a spectacle of unexpected drama as Morocco secured a surprising 2-1 victory over Argentina, a team that has won the gold medal twice.
The excitement at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne was palpable even before the match’s dramatic turn of events. The game was abruptly halted for nearly two hours when Moroccan fans, incensed by a late Argentine goal, stormed the field and hurled bottles in protest. This goal, scored in the 16th minute of added time, led to confusion about whether the game was over or temporarily paused.
Fans were asked to leave the stadium, but the players stayed on the pitch, eventually returning to complete the final three minutes in an empty venue. Just before resuming play, the pivotal moment came when Cristian Medina’s goal for Argentina was ruled offside by VAR, cementing Morocco’s win.
Despite their victory, Moroccan fans’ frustration was evident as they felt robbed of a crucial win against a strong opponent. The situation escalated with objects thrown and invading fans subdued by security.
The tension was palpable when a flare was thrown onto the pitch, causing Argentine players to flinch. Bottles and cups covered the field, initially thought to be the end of the match, with even FIFA’s website prematurely announcing the game’s conclusion.
After the pause, play resumed briefly for three minutes before the final whistle blew. Morocco had been leading 2-0 before Argentina’s late efforts. Giuliano Simeone scored in the 68th minute, setting the stage for Medina’s disallowed goal and the ensuing chaos.
The match was widely followed in Morocco, where national pride has surged since their semifinal appearance in the 2022 World Cup. Amid a severe heatwave, Moroccan fans gathered in cafes, watching with a mix of shock and anger as the events unfolded on the field.
Zak Eddakir, a 28-year-old from Rabat, spoke about the intense reaction, attributing it to soccer’s deep significance in Morocco. “In football, it’s normal,” he said. “When you see something like that, it’s really hard for supporters. Here, football is life. Even the King supports it.”
Khadija Seffany, a hairdresser, celebrated the eventual victory with her friends and neighbors. Initially suspicious of the referees’ delay in disallowing the goal, she felt it suggested a bias in favor of Argentina. “Here, we’re one of the best in the world. We drink football. We eat football,” she said.
About an hour after the disturbance, organizers confirmed the match was not officially over, and VAR would review the goal. Players re-entered the field after a lengthy delay, warming up before the game concluded. An official provided a brief explanation to Argentina, while Morocco’s bench erupted in celebration.