Against the Blue-Yellows” a very controversial penalty was awarded.
The Ukrainian national team was defeated by the Iraqi team in the first round matchfootball tournament at the 2024 Olympics. The match at the Parc Olympique Lyonne stadium in Lyon ended with the score 2:1.
The first half of the match passed without any goals scored. Ruslan Rotan's team had more possession of the ball and created dangerous chances, but failed to seal the opponent's goal.
At the start of the second half, the blue-yellows took the lead. In the 53rd minute, Arseniy Batagov headed in a free kick from Dmitry Kryskiv – the Iraqi national team goalkeeper parried, but Valentin Rubchinsky made a successful finish.
But very soon our team conceded. Maxim Taloverov put his hands on Aiman Hussein's back when serving from the right flank, which is why the referee awarded a penalty. The same Hussein equalized the score with a shot from the 11-meter mark in the 57th minute.
And in the 72nd minute, Iraq scored a second goal against Ukraine. Substitute Ali Jassim moved from the left flank to the center and sent the ball low into the near corner.
The Ukrainian team tried to win back, but failed to score a second time and avoid defeat. Thus, our national football team lost the first match in its history at the Olympic Games.
In another match of the first round of Group B, Argentina lost with a scandal to Morocco (1:2). The match was completed two hours after it was suspended due to firecrackers being thrown at Albiceleste players from the stands – during this abnormal pause, the referee reviewed the video replay (VAR) and canceled the Argentine goal due to offside.
In the second round, the Ukrainian team will play against the Moroccan team on July 27 in Saint-Etienne. On the same day, Argentina will meet with Iraq.
Rotan's team will complete the group round on July 30 with a match in Lyon with Argentina. Morocco and Iraq will compete in a parallel game.
According to the regulations, players who were born after January 1, 2001 will take part in the Olympic football tournament. Each team was allowed to enter only three performers over this age.