OLYMPIC GAMES | SOCCER
VAR disallows Argentina goal against Morocco after more than an hour at 2024 Olympics
Cristián Medina’s injury-time equaliser was ruled out by the referee after fan disturbance had caused players from both teams to leave the field.
The men’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Olympics has got off to an chaotic start after Argentina’s match against Morocco in Saint-Étienne was suspended for an hour, restarting with a VAR check, costing the South Americans an equaliser and gave the North Africans an opening group stage win.
Cristián Medina’s goal ruled out... 80 minutes later
Morocco were leading 2-1 going into injury time, of which there was an incredible 15 minutes. Even so, it took until the 16th extra minute for Cristián Medina to snatch what appeared to be a dramatic equaliser, which prompted some Moroccan fans to try to invade the field, while others threw objects from the stands.
The Argentine players retreated to the dressing room, with most assuming the full-time whistle had been blown. However, it was later revealed the match officials had been intending to play a few additional minutes and the game had instead been “interrupted,” as stated on the Olympics website.
After around one hour and 20 minutes, the game restarted with a VAR check on Medina’s goal, which was ultimately ruled out for offside, handing Morocco a hugely controversial victory. Surely the longest VAR check in history?