Argentina Coach Javier Mascherano Condemns ‘Circus’ After Chaotic Loss to Morocco
In a chaotic start to the Olympic Games, Argentina’s football team suffered a controversial 2-1 loss to Morocco. The match, held in St-Etienne, was marred by a pitch invasion and lengthy delays, leaving coach Javier Mascherano frustrated and bewildered.
Unprecedented Chaos and Delays
The chaos unfolded when Cristian Medina appeared to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw for Argentina with a goal deep into injury time. However, the joy was short-lived as the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside. The decision came after a two-hour stoppage to clear the stadium of unruly fans, causing unprecedented confusion.
Mascherano, visibly upset, expressed his frustration at the lack of communication from the event organizers. “I can’t explain what happened. We spent about an hour and a half in the dressing room where they never told us what was going to happen,” he told reporters.
He added, “The Moroccan captains didn’t want to play, we didn’t want to continue, and fans threw things at us. It’s the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Controversial VAR Decision
The controversy continued with the handling of the VAR review for Medina’s goal. Mascherano criticized the extended delay in making the decision, arguing that the game should have continued with the momentum Argentina had gained. “If there is offside in Medina’s goal let the game go on with the momentum we have, I don’t think the game should be played for three minutes after an hour and a half,” he said.
Moving Forward
Despite the frustrations, Mascherano emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on Argentina’s upcoming matches. The team is set to face Iraq in Lyon on Saturday, followed by a game against Ukraine. “It’s no use complaining, we don’t like this kind of thing to happen but we have to turn the page, look for positive things and we will look for the two victories we need to qualify,” Mascherano urged.
This chaotic start has certainly set a dramatic tone for Argentina’s Olympic campaign. The team will need to regroup quickly to secure the points necessary to advance in the tournament.
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