Watch: Morocco defeats Argentina after match suspension, VAR review

Argentina's Cristian Medina. Photo by Santiago Joel Abdala/pressinphoto/Sipa USA

Watch: Morocco defeats Argentina after chaotic match suspension, VAR review

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jul 24, 2024 1:57 PM ET

The Olympic opening ceremony is still two days away, but the Games are already breeding controversy.

In the men's soccer tournament, which kicked off Wednesday, a VAR check ruled Argentina's late equalizer against Morocco was offside more than an hour after players had to leave the field due to fans storming the pitch.

After being held in their respective locker rooms until fans could be cleared from the stadium, officials took to the VAR monitor and determined Cristian Medina's header in the 16th minute of stoppage time would be disallowed.

One of the strangest endings you will EVER see.

Over an hour after Cristian Medina's late equalizer for Argentina against Morocco, the referee announced Medina's goal was disallowed for offside. After playing out the final minutes of the match, Morocco won 2-1. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/PaIhszKyBi
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024

Players then returned to the pitch behind closed doors and played the remaining three minutes of stoppage time with Morocco holding on for the 2-1 upset win in the group-stage match.

Argentina's coach, Javier Mascherano, was heated in his postgame news conference, calling the handling of the situation "the biggest circus I've ever seen in my life."

After securing a critical three points in its group, Morocco will play Ukraine on Saturday. Argentina will face Iraq on the same day.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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