“On Tuesday we are going for another victory” - Javier Mascherano makes confident claim after Argentina secure first win at 2024 Olympics
Argentina's Olympics football team manager Javier Mascherano has made a confident statement that his side is going to win again in their final group fixture. La Albiceleste beat Iraq 3-1 today for their first win of the campaign and could qualify for the knockout stages with another three-pointer against Ukraine next week.
Having lost 1-2 to Morocco in their opening game, Mascherano's side needed a big performance here to keep their progression hopes alive, and big performance they delivered. Thiago Almada put the side 1-0 up after only 14 minutes, but the Lions of Babylon equalized through Aymen Hussein in the added minutes of the first-half stoppage time.
Luciano Gondou restored Argentina's lead just after the hour mark before Ignacio Fernandez sealed all three points with their third goal in the 85th minute. And with that, the side climbed to the top of Group B with three points in two games, ahead of Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine (all on three points too) on goal-difference.
Argentina play their final group fixture against Ukraine on Tuesday, wherein a win will seal their place in the last-8. Mascherano, the head coach of their Olympics team, said he was 'relieved' after today's win and made an emphatic claim that his side is going for another next week.
He said (quoted by TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul on X):
“On Tuesday we are going for another victory. This is a relief. "I thank all the Argentines, the players of the senior team and the coaching staff for being attentive to us."
Two-time winners of the Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, Argentina have gone out in the group stages of the last two editions of the games. They are eager to avoid the ignominy for a third consecutive time.
Argentina could avoid France by winning Group B
Argentina and France are on collision course, but there are a few caveats. Both sides are currently leading Group B and A respectively. If things remain that way after the final group match, they are headed in different directions.
However, if one of these sides finish second, and the other clinches their group, we could have a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, but without all the big names. Well, except for Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi, both of whom featured in that epic final in Doha, and are currently playing at the 2024 Olympics too.
For now, their focus remains on Ukraine, who made up for their opening day loss to Iraq with a 2-1 win over Morocco today. Ihor Krasnopir struck the winner for them in the eighth minute of added time to keep their progression hopes alive.