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Match 2 Shanghai - Shanghai Stadium
07 August
Côte d'Ivoire
1:2
Argentina
1:2 (0:1)
  • Sekou CISSE (53')
  • Lionel MESSI (43')
  • Lautaro ACOSTA (86')

Referee Wolfgang STARK

Summary

Messi sinks brave Ivorians

Messi sinks brave Ivorians

Lionel Messi scored one and set up another on his Olympic debut as Argentina escaped with a 2-1 victory from a thrilling encounter with Côte d'Ivoire. Much debate has surrounded the Barcelona star's participation in Beijing and, though he was generally shackled by an exceptional Ivorian side, he still managed to produce two moments of magic to give the holders and favourites a win ...

Line-up

CIV
ARG
Substitute(s)
Coaches
Gerard GILI (FRA)
(ARG) Sergio BATISTA
Officials
  • Referee: Wolfgang STARK (GER)
  • Assistant Referee 1: Volker WEZEL (GER)
  • Assistant Referee 2: Jan-Hendrik SALVER (GER)
  • Fourth official: Thomas EINWALLER (AUT)

Photos

  • Argentina star Lionel Messi in action against Côte D'Ivoire in their opening Group A clash.
  • Lionel Messi of Argentina applauds in front of his national flag
  • Lionel Messi (ARG) fights for the ball against two CIV defenders
  • Argentina defeated Côte d'Ivoire 2-1
  • Argentina's Juan Riquelme (L) vies for the ball against Gervinho of Ivory Coast
  • Argentina's Juan Riquelme (L) celebrates with team-mate Lionel Messi
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) vies for the ball against Brou Angoua (R) and Herve Kambou (L) of Ivory Coast
  • Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina and his teammate Lautaro Acosta (L) celebrate their team's second goal
  • Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina and his teammates Lautaro Acosta (C) and Angel Di Maria (R) celebrate

    • Quotes

    "The combination of a creator like [Juan Roman] Riquelme and a player like [Lionel] Messi was what proved our undoing. That said, we did a great job. Unfortunately we switched off in the last five minutes and we paid for that with the defeat. We're disappointed," Gerard Gili, Côte d'Ivoire coach.

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