The match concluded in an empty stadium in Saint-Etienne (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
There was chaos on the first day of football action at the Paris Olympics between Argentina and Morocco with the match halted by a furious pitch invasion – eventually concluding in an empty stadium after a two-hour delay.
Morocco looked to be on course to a famous win at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in St-Etienne, leading Argentina 2-1 as the game headed towards its conclusion.
But in the 16th minute of added time, Boca Juniors midfielder Cristian Medina headed home after the ball had twice come back off the crossbar.
It sparked a furious reaction from Morocco supporters who made their way onto the pitch to throw bottles and flares.
Images showed Argentina players flinching when what appeared to be a fire cracker was thrown in the direction of their bench.
The match official blew his whistle but not for full-time, with the game suspended while the chaos was cleared. The match was officially deemed to have been ‘interrupted’ by Paris 2024’s official website.
Over an hour later, it was decided the match would officially resume for the final three minutes, with supporters cleared from the stands.
Morocco fans were furious with the late goal (Picture: Getty/TYC Sports)
And in another incredible development, Medina’s would-be equaliser was wiped out by the video assistant referee, judging the Argentina star to have been in an offside position.
The goal that sparked the pitch invasion was promptly overturned with Morocco holding on for the final minutes to seal a famous win.
Soufiane Rahimi had put Morocco ahead in the final seconds of the first half and Rahimi struck again from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.
Giuliano Simeone pulled one back for Javier Mascherano’s side in the 68th minute before Medina struck deep into injury time – only to see his effort belatedly chalked off.