DPA
Paris
Argentina’s Cristian Medina scored in the 16th minute of stappage time to draw 2-2 with Morocco in the men’s Olympic football tournament on Wednesday - the first action of the Paris Games.
Soufiane Rahimi had scored twice for a 2-0 lead only for Morocco to be pegged back, with no clear reason for so much injury time.
Argentina, who included 2022 World Cup winners Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez, conceded on the stroke of half-time in their Group B opener and Rahimi netted again from the penalty spot on 49 minutes in St-Etienne.
Giuliano Simeone pulled one back midway through the second half for twice winners Argentina, who hit the bar twice before Medina headed in to grab a point, having also survived a VAR check for offside.
The men’s Olympic football tournament is for under-23 players although three overage names are allowed. Rio and Tokyo champions Brazil did not qualify.
The women’s tournament has no restrictions. Matches are being played across France, not just in host city Paris.
Group stage matches are taking place ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony as there is not enough time to play all the matches in the July 26-August 11 Olympic window.
Spain, including Barcelona players Eric Garcia and Fermin Lopez, needed a second-half goal from Sergio Gomez to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their Group C opener at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
The men’s rugby sevens also started on Wednesday, with Australia beating Samoa 21-14 in Pool B and Argentina overpowering Kenya 31-12.
In Pool C, hosts France drew 12-12 with the United States at the Stade de France.
Match suspended for hour due to crowd disorder
The match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne was suspended for over an hour following a reaction from the crowd when Cristian Medina scored a late equaliser.
And, the equaliser sparked objects being thrown onto the pitch and players were taken off for their safety.
Fans were then asked to leave the stadium with a message being projected on screens that read: “Your session has been suspended, please leave the stadium.”
The game resumed behind closed doors with three minutes left on the clock and Medina’s 106th-minute leveller was chalked off for an offside in the build-up.
