Argentina Shocks Morocco, Wins 2-1 in Paris Olympics Opener

Controversial Match Marred by Technical Difficulties

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France

In a thrilling and controversial twist, Argentina battled back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the opening match of the men's football tournament at the Paris Olympics 2024. The match, initially scheduled for an earlier start, was delayed for four hours due to technical difficulties that plagued the stadium's scoreboard and communication systems.

Morocco, playing with the momentum of the early crowd, took the lead through a stunning long-range strike from Soufiane Amrabat in the 15th minute. Argentina, visibly shaken by the technical delays, struggled to find their rhythm and conceded a second goal just before halftime, courtesy of Zakaria Aboukhlal.

However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Argentina. Led by the brilliance of Lionel Messi, they began to dominate possession and create chances. Messi scored a stunning free kick in the 55th minute to reduce the deficit, before Alexis Mac Allister equalized with a clinical finish in the 70th minute. The match ended dramatically when Joaquin Correa scored the winning goal in added time, leaving Morocco devastated.

The match was overshadowed by controversy, as Morocco accused Argentina of foul play and questioned the validity of some of the referee's decisions. Despite the heated emotions on the pitch, Argentina emerged victorious, securing a valuable three points in their quest for Olympic gold. The win will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they prepare for their next match against Australia, while Morocco will look to regroup and bounce back from this disappointing start.