Argentina U2 manager, Javier Mascherano has reacted to his team’s defeat to Morocco in their opening game of the Paris 2024 Olympics football events.
The coach was particularly concerned about La Albiceleste’s late equalizer which was ruled out by VAR.
The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the 2024 Copa America champions on July 24, 2024, at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in France.
The Africans were 2-1 up at the end of 90 minutes and officials added a 15-minute injury time.
During the added time, Cristian Medina scored a late equalizer for Argentina, which would have ended the match in a 2-2 draw.
However, the game was interrupted as angry Moroccan fans entered the stadium.
The match was temporarily suspended and after about two hours, a VAR check ruled out Argentina’s equalizer, declaring it to be offside.
After the situation was under control, the remaining three-plus minutes were played as players re-emerged in an empty stadium.
The clash finally ended in a 2-1 win for Morocco.
Mascherano said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X): “The biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.
“I don’t know what happened. We were in the locker room for almost an hour and a half. At no point were we informed about what could happen.
“As a player, I’ve never experienced security failing seven times in a match at this level. It was a disgrace.
“Today, they invaded the pitch seven times and then threw fireworks at us. They told us the match finished 2-2. Neither we nor Morocco wanted to continue playing.”
