Argentina Ol. vs Iraq Ol. prediction: WORLD: Olympic Games betting tips on match 2024-07-26 13:00.
[p]To say that Argentina’s opening match at the 2024 Olympics in Paris was eventful would be an understatement, as the South American nation lost 2-1 to Morocco during one of football’s most controversial fixtures in recent memory. After trailing by a goal heading into second half stoppage time, it looked like Cristian Medina had dramatically equalised in the 106th minute before unsavoury scenes saw fans storm onto the pitch, forcing the game to be temporarily suspended. [/p]
[p]After order was eventually restored by officials, the players returned nearly two hours later to an empty stadium, after which VAR ruled out the goal for offside and the final three minutes were played, with Morocco finally running out 2-1 victors. Argentina coach Javier Mascherano will be acutely aware that he needs to rally his side quickly before an important clash with Iraq on matchday two where a negative result would move them closer to a third successive group stage exit at the Olympics. [/p]
[p]Unlike their opposition in this clash, Iraq made a much better start to their 2024 Olympics campaign as they narrowly beat Ukraine 2-1 on Wednesday, despite heading into the clash as substantial underdogs. Radhi Shenaishil’s side came from a goal down to claim a priceless win which will have them dreaming of qualification from Group B, something they haven’t achieved since 2004. [/p]
[p]Considering that Iraq as a nation have only ever won one medal at the Olympics across any sport (a bronze at Rome 1960), the going is likely to get much tougher from here on in, especially as a matchup with heavyweights Argentina now awaits. Morale could be boosted by looking back at their last Olympics campaigns in 2016 at least, during which they secured a point against Argentina’s great rivals and eventual gold medalists Brazil. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Giuliano Simeone scored Argentina’s only goal in their opening match against Morocco, 26 years on from when his father Diego Simeone netted against USA during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After scoring against Ukraine, Iraq’s Ali Jasim took his tally to seven goals across his last eight international appearances! [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Just one of Iraq’s last four matches at the Olympics have seen a goal scored in the first half.  [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]