As Argentina prepares to face hosts France in the quarterfinals of the men’s Olympic soccer tournament, they are bracing themselves for a potentially hostile atmosphere in Bordeaux. The tension arises from a recent incident where Argentina players were caught on video singing an offensive song about French players of African heritage following their Copa América victory. This controversy has reignited past sentiments, as similar chants were heard from Argentinian fans before Lionel Messi’s team defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final. The Argentine squad is well aware of this backdrop and is expecting a challenging reception on Friday.
The French public’s reaction to Argentine teams has been less than welcoming in recent encounters. During a quarterfinal of the men’s rugby sevens tournament, Argentina faced constant booing from a crowd of 69,000 at Stade de France. Such behavior is uncommon in rugby, but it sets a precedent for what Argentina’s soccer team might encounter. Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, a part of the World Cup-winning squad, acknowledged the potential for animosity, citing instances where their national anthem was jeered. Despite the expected hostility, he maintained that it would be a memorable match given the stakes and history between the two nations.
The fallout from the controversial video led to diplomatic involvement, with complaints filed by the French soccer federation at the highest levels of the sport’s governing bodies. Argentine President Javier Milei and French President Emmanuel Macron even met to address the issue and defuse the situation. However, both teams are keen to focus on the upcoming game, as expressed by France’s Olympic soccer coach, Thierry Henry. The desire is to shift the attention back to the game itself and let the players’ performances speak for themselves on the field.
Argentina has faced challenges throughout their Olympic campaign, including a chaotic opener against Morocco that saw a disallowed goal after VAR review and incidents of theft at their training facilities. Despite these setbacks, coach Javier Mascherano stressed the importance of maintaining concentration and focusing on the task at hand. With France boasting an impeccable record in the group stage, having won all their matches without conceding a goal, Argentina understands the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
Looking Ahead
Although France is considered the favorite in the quarterfinal matchup, Henry remains cautious of Argentina’s capabilities. He emphasized the unpredictable nature of knockout matches and the need to avoid costly mistakes. Argentina’s blend of youth and experience across all positions makes them a formidable opponent, capable of upsetting the odds and progressing to the semifinals. The winner of this encounter will face either Egypt or Paraguay for a spot in the Olympic final, scheduled for August 9th in Paris. The stage is set for a gripping showdown between two footballing powerhouses aiming for Olympic glory.