Argentina need a win against Iraq on Saturday to get back on track in the Olympic men's soccer after a controversial opening defeat to Morocco. Javier Mascherano blasted the 2-1 loss to the Atlas Lions as a "circus" with a win now required for the Albiceleste in Group B. Meanwhile, Iraq took maximum points against Ukraine to lead the way with the Moroccans.
It was a dramatic finale to Argentina's opening game and it has put the gold medal favorites in a difficult position ahead of this clash. Although they triumphed in Athens and Beijing, they have also gone home early in Brazil and Tokyo while they did not even qualify for London in 2012. Mascherano now needs to get his players to focus and arrest their disappointing start with little margin for error.
Radhi Shenaishil's men can now advance with a point and three points will see them reach the last eight with a game to spare. Making it out of the group would be a first since 2004 when they won bronze although they were also unbeaten in 2016 with three draws. Aymen Hussein and Ali Jasim Elaibi did the damage to fight back to beat Ukraine 2-1 unexpectedly which has completely changed the way that Group B looks.
Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, July 27 | Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Location: Groupama Stadium - Lyon, France
- Watch: Peacock Premium, Universo or Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Argentina -350; Draw +400; Iraq +750
Group B
With Iraq and Morocco leading the way, Argentina and Ukraine both need wins to recover from their poor starts. There is a scenario which could see all teams have three points after two games which would create and interesting final day. However, nobody had the Albiceleste down to go home this early and potentially be out of the Paris Games before their final group game.
Team news
Argentina: Giuliano Simeone could be in line to start after his cameo and goal against Morocco while Mascherano will need to see more from Julian Alvarez as speculation continues over his future. A convincing showing in attack is required so Thiago Almada could be pushed a bit further forward to help to create more chances.
Possible Argentina XI: Rulli; Garcia, Di Cesare, Otamendi, Soler; Simeone, Medina, Hezze, Almada; Beltran, Alvarez.
Iraq: Aymen Hussein will be a marked man after his goal vs. Ukraine and the 28-year-old will be a challenge for Argentina to handle. Shenaishil is likely to keep faith with Karrar Mohammed and Ibrahim Bayesh in midfield as well as a stacked which backline which will look to thwart the South Americans in attack.
Possible Iraq XI: Hassan; Saadon, Ojaimi, Tahseen, Reeshawee; Bayesh, K. Ali; H. Ali, Mohammed, Amyn; Hussein.
Prediction
Although this one could be tight, expected Mascherano's Argentina to come out on top by the end thanks to their superior star quality. Even three points from two games will arguably be ahead of expectations for the Iraqis ahead of their final Group B game at the Paris Olympics. Pick: Argentina 2, Iraq 1.