Argentina beat Iraq to stay alive at the Olympics

Argentina rectified the first-round setback in the Paris 2024 Olympic football tournament and with a 3-1 victory against Iraq on Saturday put itself in a good position to advance to the quarter-finals.

Javier Mascherano’s team was not overwhelmed by the precipice of elimination that a defeat against the Asians would have meant and took to the field with personality, seeking victory from the first moment, although with a lack of aim, which left the match open until the second half.

Secondly, the scandal of the match against Morocco weighed heavily on the atmosphere, with a stadium covered with fences to avoid a new pitch invasion like the one that marred the first match, which ended with Argentina’s defeat (1-2) in an embarrassing finale.

Trust

The coach once again relied on his star eleven, with the exception of Equi Fernández, who took Kevin Zenón’s place on the right wing, to give more depth to that wing.

Now, Argentina only has to beat Ukraine in the last matchday next Tuesday to enter the top 16 of the tournament and sneak into the knockout round, closer to the medal.

The Albiceleste threatened to score in the 9th minute, with a chance from Almada that was saved by the Iraqi goalkeeper. It was the first sign of the goal that came four minutes later from the Lyon player, who was playing at home and took advantage of a good assist from Julian Álvarez to put Argentina ahead.

Mascherano’s men dominated, but the second goal was not coming and Iraq, a team that secured one of the last tickets for the Olympic tournament, was stalking the goal of a Rulli who had to work hard in the 27th minute.

Almada had another chance to score in the 40th minute, but his shot went wide, in an almost identical opportunity to the one Julián wasted five minutes later.

Gaucho problem

Argentina’s lack of decisiveness was punished, and they were already feeling the pinch when Ahmed Hasan sent a good ball into the area and captain Aymen Hussein beat Nicolás Otamendi to go into the break level.

The Albiceleste were unable to stand out and at the hour mark Mascherano introduced a triple substitution, bringing on Kevin Zeón, Luciano Gondou and Gozalo Luján, who gave the Argentines more bite.

The revolution took effect almost immediately. Gondou put Argentina back in front with a header from a Zenón pass. The Argentinos Juniors striker was close to scoring the third seven minutes later in a one-on-one with the Iraqi goalkeeper, and Giuliano Simeone also had a chance in the 77th minute.

But it was Equi Fernández who achieved it in the 85th minute in a good collective play that allowed Boca to seal the victory.

Paris / EFE