Morocco upset Argentina, Spain edge Uzbekistan at Paris Olympic football group stage

　　PARIS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Morocco pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over Argentina in a Paris Olympic men's football group match marred by crowd trouble on Wednesday.

　　Cristian Medina of Argentina looked to have made it 2-2 in the last moment, while several spectators in Morocco colors ran onto the pitch. Then, the players temporarily left as the police made the situation under control.

　　After nearly two hours of suspension when all fans had left, the VAR ruled out Medina's goal for offside, and the match was resumed for three minutes in an empty stadium. Morocco held onto their 2-1 lead to the finish.

　　Both Morocco's goals were scored by Soufiane Rahimi, while Giuliano Simeone pulled one back for Argentina in the 68th minute.

　　In order to advance to the knockout stage, Argentina now has to rely on positive results from Iraq and Ukraine, the other two opponents in their group, to advance to the knockout stage.

　　Uzbekistan looked dangerous from early on, threatening Spain on several occasions. Spain managed to withstand Uzbekistan's attack and went 1-0 ahead in the 29th minute when right defender Marc Pubill scored on a free kick made by captain Abel Ruiz.

　　Uzbekistan equalized with a penalty kick before break. Spain's Pau Cubarsi pulled down Muhammadkodir Hamraliev before the goal at the stoppage time of the first half. After the VAR intervened, the referee pointed to the spot. Uzbekistan skipper Elder Shomurodov converted the spot kick.

　　Spain won a penalty kick later, but Sergio Gomez's effort was denied by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov in the 59th minute. Three minutes later the Real Sociedad striker redeemed himself by putting the ball past Nematov.

　　France did not disappoint at home. Their star players Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise and Loic Bade scored apiece in the second half to help the hosts see off the United States 3-0.

　　Asian powerhouses Japan displayed their prowess in front of Paraguay, winning 5-0 with Rihito Yamamoto's goal sandwiched between the brace of Shunsuke Mito and Shota Fujio, respectively.

　　Also on Wednesday, New Zealand beat Guinea 2-1, Egypt drew with the Dominican Republic 0-0, Iraq defeated Ukraine 2-1, while Israel tied Mali 1-1. ■