Argentina 3-1 Iraq: Albiceleste bounce back from opening loss at Olympics

Argentina got their Group B campaign at the Olympics up and running with a 3-1 victory over Iraq, with Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez scoring.

Javier Mascherano’s side made a losing start against Morocco on Wednesday, going down by a 2-1 scoreline in a chaotic match that featured almost 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time and a two-hour delay due to crowd trouble.

They bounced back against Iraq despite Aymen Hussein cancelling out Almada’s opener, with Gondou and Fernandez on target in the second half in a deserved victory.

Argentina hit the front after 14 minutes as Julian Alvarez improvised to chest a deflected cross down to Almada, who lashed into the bottom-left corner on the volley.

But Iraq grew into the contest and got their reward five minutes into first-half stoppage time, Hussein getting across his marker to nod Ahmed Maknzi’s cross into the far corner.

Argentina were in the ascendency throughout the second half, though, restoring their lead shortly after the hour mark. Iraq goalkeeper Hussein Hasan got caught under Kevin Zenon’s cross as Gondou headed home at the far post.

They wrapped up the points when Fernandez scored the pick of the goals with five minutes remaining, the midfielder curling a left-footed shot into the top-left corner after clever play from Almada and Zenon.

The Albiceleste, Iraq and Morocco are now all level on three points with one game remaining, with Ukraine pointless ahead of facing the Atlas Lions later on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Almada pulls the strings

Almada was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and attracted plenty of admiring glances from European clubs while with Atlanta United, only to join Botofogo for an MLS-record fee earlier this month.

The Brazilian giants have every right to be pleased with their purchase.

As well as firing in the opener on Saturday, Almada managed a game-high three chances created and 30 passes in the final third. A sumptuous backheel in the build-up to Fernandez’s goal provided another glimpse of his quality.