The Argentine Olympic Team saw its first minutes of action as both the national football and rugby sevens teams made their debut. Results were a mixed bag for Argentina, with a solid win 31-12 by the Pumas against Kenya and a difficult start for the Albiceleste, who only got a 2-1 loss amidst a controversial ending to its match against Morocco.

The highlight of the day were the struggles of the Olympian football team. Javier Mascherano’s squad failed to make the best of its individual quality for most of the match and will have to make amends in its next game.

Both teams started the game with doubts and had difficulties imposing their style. Argentina, with a defensively solid structure, lacked the sufficient team moves as well as individual creativity to break down Morocco. 

In a very fragmented game full of mistakes, both teams had just one attempt at goal in the first half. Argentina’s came in the 27th minute when defender Nicolás Otamendi had a headed chance that was nowhere near the goal. 

Twenty minutes later, Morocco had its only moment of inspiration in the first half. Forward Ilias Akhomach received in the corner of the area and put a backheel for captain Achraf Hakimi, who crossed for striker Soufiani Rahimi to make it 1-0 just before the end of the half.

Two minutes into the second half, Akhomach fell to a slight push by Argentine defender Julio Soler. It was given as a penalty for Morocco, which Rahimi scored to make it 2-0.

The Atlas Lions dropped deeper after the goal, looking to defend its lead. This gave wings to Argentina, which grew in confidence as it saw more of the ball. However, Mascherano’s team was still exposed to fast counters by Morocco, which gave Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli some work.

The Albiceleste was able to shorten the lead in the 67th minute, as a wayward shot from Soler became an improvised cross for striker Giuliano Simeone to make it 2-1. Argentina remained in control but was unable to tie the game, missing some big chances.

It looked like it was going to be too little, too late for Argentina, but the team managed to tie the game in a very controversial ending. After regulation, the referee gave a shocking 15 minutes of added time due to extended time wastage on the part of Moroccan players. In the 106th minute, a scrappy play — which included two big saves by Moroccan goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi and two balls against the crossbar — saw the ball fall to midfielder Cristian Medina, who headed the ball in front of goal for an agonizing 2-2. 

The match was suspended as Moroccan fans invaded the pitch after the goal, while Argentine players ran to the dressing room. The goal was disallowed over one hour later and the game finished 2-1.

Argentina will need to improve its play if it hopes to go far in the tournament. It now waits for the result of the clash between Iraq-Ukraine to determine where they’ll be in the group. Its next game will be on Saturday against Iraq at 10 a.m.

The Pumas beat Kenya and Samoa

Argentina Sevens kicked off its search for the gold medal by beating Kenya by 31-12. The Pumas struggled early on, with the African team controlling much of the ball and scoring the first try of the game after three minutes. Argentina shortened the lead just before the first half ended but missed the conversion kick to remain 2 points behind.

Argentina took the lead just 39 seconds into the second half, 12-7, but Kenya tied 12-12 after missing the conversion in its second try. From then on, however, the Pumas were able to take control of the game, showing why they won the SVNS series as the best team in the world.

Tries by Tomás Elizalde, Luciano González, and Marcos Moneta were too much for Kenya to answer, wrapping up the Argentine win. They will now face Samoa at 2:30 p.m.

An hour later, they beat Samoa 28-12 in their second game of the tournament and secured a spot in the quarter finals. Looking much more solid from the beginning, Argentina took the lead within the first two minutes, with a try by Matías Osadczuk. Another two tries by Matteo Graziano and Joaquín Pellandini saw the Pumas wrap up the first half 21-0 up.

In the second half, Argentina maintained their level of play and Osadczuk scored again for a near definitive 28-0. But the Pumas relented near the end and tries by Apelu Maliko and Neuleli Leitufia shrunk the lead, but it was too little too late for the Oceanic team.

Argentina will wrap up its group stage games against Australia on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

France v. Argentina controversy plows on

Both of the Argentine team’s games started in controversial fashion as the French crowd booed the Argentine anthem during the opening ceremony at the two matches.

The blowback comes after the French Football Federation announced it will sue its Argentine counterpart due to videos of Argentine players singing racist chants that went viral. The situation led to wide controversy and debate in Argentina, as the fallout saw Vice President Villarruel weigh in with a controversial post on racism and colonialism on X, which the presidential spokesperson called “unfortunate.”

All times shown are for Argentina local time (GMT-3). For local times, check the Paris 2024 Olympics site