Argentina’s Olympic quarterfinal exit against France on Friday ended in chaos, with a heated brawl erupting seconds after the final whistle.
The 1-0 defeat was compounded by a hostile crowd, who booed the team throughout the match. As tensions boiled over, players clashed in an ugly scene, leaving captain Nicolás Otamendi seething with anger and frustration.
There was shoving for a couple of minutes before the players were broken up.
Some France players appeared to sprint down the tunnel moments later before coming back out a short time later to perform a lap of honor.
After the scuffle, Otamendi took aim at France defender Loïc Badé, who he thought had over celebrated in front of Argentina players’ families.
Otamendi said.
“I am very angry that they went to where the family members were to celebrate in his face.”
“[If] he [Badé] feels like celebrating, let him come to where we are and we will solve it there. We’ll talk about whatever we have to talk about.”
Read Also: Enzo Maresca Sends Strong Message To Cole Palmer Over Penalty Taker
Although primarily an under-23 competition, the game was a rematch French fans have been waiting for since Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout win in the 2022 World Cup final.
A racism scandal had heightened tensions ahead of the game after a video of Argentina players singing an offensive song about French players of African heritage as they celebrated their Copa América victory last month made the rounds.
France coach Thierry Henry was just as unhappy with the fight, and was left furious after midfielder Enzo Millet was sent off.
Henry
“I went to shake the opposing coach’s hand and all of a sudden I saw a lot of things happening.”
“I don’t like seeing this kind of thing. It wasn’t necessary.
“We didn’t want to lose a player [to suspension] but it was pointless, he wasn’t even playing [at the final whistle].
“I’m really not happy about that. We were all united, the only drawback is getting a red on the bench.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a crucial goal in the fifth minute, allowed France to a 1-0 victory and a semifinal showdown against Egypt.