Lionel Messi Calls Out VAR Shambles as Argentina’s Olympics Opener Ends in Controversy
The 2024 Olympics have kicked off with a bang, but not exactly in the way anyone expected. Argentina’s opener against Morocco was marred by controversy, with a bizarre sequence of events that left fans and players alike scratching their heads.
The match seemed to be heading for a thrilling finish, with Argentina trailing 2-1 with just minutes to go. But then, the unthinkable happened. The referee suspended play due to fan trouble, only to restart the game over an hour later. Yes, you read that right – an hour.
When the whistle finally blew, Argentina’s equalizer was ruled out for offside, and the game ended with Morocco emerging victorious. The whole debacle left everyone involved looking bewildered, with even the great Lionel Messi weighing in on the chaos.
Messi, who had been watching from home after leading Argentina to Copa America glory earlier this month, took to Instagram to express his disbelief. "Insolito" was all he had to say, but his sentiments were echoed by fans and pundits alike.
The controversy was the perfect storm of poor refereeing, confusing VAR decisions, and fan trouble. It’s not the kind of start anyone wants for the Olympics, but it’s certainly a talking point.
As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt to the challenges posed by the VAR system. Will it lead to more controversy, or will the referees find a way to get it right? Only time will tell.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on the Olympics and the beautiful game!