As Argentina prepares to face hosts France in the quarterfinals of the men’s Olympic soccer tournament, they are bracing themselves for a hostile atmosphere. This anticipation stems from a controversial incident involving a video where Argentina players were caught singing an offensive song about French players of African heritage during their Copa América victory celebration. The echoes of similar chants by Argentinian fans prior to Lionel Messi’s Argentina team defeating France in the World Cup final in 2022 only add fuel to the fire. The French public has already displayed its displeasure during an Olympic venue when Argentina’s men’s rugby sevens team faced the home team and were incessantly booed by a 69,000-strong crowd at the Stade de France.
Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, a member of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad, acknowledged the expected climate of hostility in a pre-match press conference. He mentioned the experience of having their national anthem whistled at during the rugby match and highlighted that while it might not be directly at the team, it’s a result of the events following the World Cup final. Despite the adverse environment, Rulli expressed optimism about the upcoming game, emphasizing the significance of this match in light of recent months. Argentinian President Javier Milei and French President Emmanuel Macron have met to address the fallout from the controversial video, reaching a political level of resolution.
Argentina has faced multiple challenges leading up to this point in the Olympics. Their initial game against Morocco saw chaos with a pitch invasion and fan aggression after a disallowed goal through VAR. Prior to the match, their training base was targeted by thieves, adding to the team’s frustrations. However, coach Javier Mascherano remains focused on the task at hand, urging his team to concentrate on the game against a strong France side that has impressed in the group stages. Despite the odds, Mascherano is determined to channel the team’s energy into playing football and not getting distracted by external factors.
Though France may enter the match as favorites, coach Thierry Henry is cautious of the threat that Argentina poses. Highlighting the unpredictable nature of competitions, Henry stressed the importance of staying focused and avoiding costly mistakes that could lead to elimination. He commended Argentina’s blend of youth and experience across all positions, acknowledging the challenge they present to his team. As both teams gear up for a competitive encounter, the winner looks ahead to a semifinal clash with either Egypt or Paraguay, with the ultimate prize being the Olympic gold medal match scheduled in Paris on August 9.
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