Messi and Mascherano react to Argentina’s controversial Olympics opener

Lionel Messi called Argentina’s Olympics opener “unbelievable” aft they were denied a precocious equaliser by VAR 2 hours aft nan last whistle successful a 2-1 conclusion to Morocco.

Sofiane Rahimi scored doubly for Morocco arsenic Giovani Simeone halved nan shortage earlier a Cristian Medina equaliser successful nan 16th infinitesimal of added clip was ruled retired by VAR aft play was suspended amid crowd trouble.

Argentina were faced pinch a dispute ambiance from nan predominantly French supporters arsenic nan backlash to Enzo Fernandez’s arguable video questioning nan practice of French players circulated online.

The melodramatic conclusion to nan crippled only riled up those tensions, pinch fans storming nan transportation and players targeted by missiles aft nan disallowed goal.

Manager Javier Mascherano deed retired astatine nan chaos, which progressive players returning to nan section to play nan last 3 minutes of nan crippled successful an quiet stadium much than 3 hours aft nan original kick-off.

🤯 INCROYABLE SÉQUENCE : l’arbitre d’Argentine-Maroc annule le deuxième but argentin… deux heures après la suspension de la rencontre !

Les joueurs sont revenus sur le terrain move disputer les trois dernières minutes et le Maroc s’est finalement imposé 2-1 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/1XswW8uXin

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 24, 2024

The erstwhile midfielder was heard connected broadcast calling nan lucifer nan “biggest circus I person ever seen successful my life”.

Argentinian icon Messi, who is not progressive successful Argentina’s Olympic campaign, was near likewise shocked, posting a azygous connection connected his Instagram communicative “Insolito” – which translates arsenic “unbelievable”.

The golden badge winners successful 2004 and 2008 were not astatine their champion contempt lining up pinch caller Copa America winners Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi and Geronimo Rulli.

Argentina, named arsenic 1 of nan pre-tournament favourites, look Iran adjacent up connected Saturday earlier their last group crippled against Ukraine.