Argentina got their men’s Olympic football campaign back on track by beating Iraq 3-1 in Lyon on Saturday.
Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites, suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Morocco in their opening Group B match, marred by a pitch invasion by Moroccan fans and a two-hour delay.
While Iraq threatened to spring another upset when Aymen Hussein equalised in first-half added time, goals from Luciano Gondou and Ignacio Fernandez sealed victory for Argentina.
Thiago Almada, whose watch was stolen in the burglary of the team’s training ground earlier this week, according to Argentina coach Javier Mascherano, opened the scoring with a 14th-minute volley at the Stade de Lyon.
But a header from Hussein in the fifth minute of first-half added time levelled the game before the break.
A header from Gondou at the far post in the 62nd gave Argentina the lead again and Fernandez curled a shot from distance from the edge of the area in the 85th.
With the win, Argentina are level with Iraq and Morocco on three points. Morocco were due to face Ukraine later in the day.
___
AP football writer James Robson contributed to this report.
___
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
