Javier Mascherano's furious reaction to Argentina disallowed goal in Olympic chaos

Former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano was left fuming after Argentina’s opening game at the Olympics ended in absolute chaos.

The 40-year-old is managing his nation in France this summer, although their tournament could not have got off to a worse start against Morocco. Argentina fell to a 2-1 defeat in Saint-Etienne, although that only tells half the story .

Having fallen 2-0 down, Giuliano Simeone pulled a goal back with just over 20 minutes left. As the game moved into stoppage time though, Argentina was still searching for an equalizer.

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They looked as if they had eventually found it when Cristian Medina turned the ball home in the 106th minute. That sparked chaotic scenes though as Morocco fans began invading the pitch.

There had already been signs of a hostile atmosphere during the game, with Argentina’s national anthem booed by the Morocco fans, while the game was halted on a couple of occasions as supporters ran onto the pitch.

The scenes at the end of the game though forced the referee to send both teams off the pitch, with riot police deployed as the players made their way down the tunnel. Missiles were hurled from the stands as a message displayed on the big screen said: “Your session has been suspended please make your way to the nearest exit.”

It was announced that the final three minutes remaining in the game would be played with no fans in attendance, although it took more than hour for the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard to be emptied. To make matters worse for Argentina, Medina’s goal was ruled out by VAR just moments before the game restarted.

Once the players returned, Morocco managed to hang on to their lead and claim victory as the game ended nearly four hours after it had started. Lionel Messi was among those to express his disbelief on social media , and his former Barcelona and international teammate was just as bemused.

Mascherano was left fuming after the game as he was asked about the situation, with the former Liverpool midfielder describing it as “the biggest circus I’ve ever seen in my life.”

He will have to pick his side back up again as they face Iraq next on Saturday before finishing the group stage against Ukraine, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the knockout stages.