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PARIS (AP) — Uzbekistan lost control but won over the crowds Wednesday as the Paris Olympics festival officially began with soccer matches in Paris and Saint-Etienne.
Uzbekistan fans sang and danced about the 2-1 loss to Spain, to the rhythm of furiously fast drumming at the Parc des Princes in western Paris, which was once the home of French striker Kylian Mbappe when he played for Paris Saint-Germain.
Towards the end of the match, they encouraged much of the crowd to applaud in unison, with their hands raised, in the style of the Viking Thunder Clap that Icelandic fans offered for the first time at Euro 2016, which took place in France.
There was also an Uzbek edition of the popular football song “Don’t Take Me Home”, accompanied by faster drums.
The honor of starting the match went to Uzbek captain Eldor Shomurodov, who played for Italian side Cagliari in Serie A last season. Shomurodov, 29, passed the ball to a teammate and then applauded. FIFA Prent Gianni Infantino met with the players before the match.
The first goal of the Paris Games was scored by Spanish right-back Marc Pubill in the 29th minute. Shomurodov equalized from a penalty in the first half, with his 41st goal abroad, sparking great celebrations among Uzbek fans.
Argentina, who played against Lionel Messi at those Games, also opened the ball at 3 p. m. against Morocco in Saint-Étienne, at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium. The stadium is nicknamed “El Caldero” because of the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate fans of the local club.
Morocco led 2-1, thanks to two goals from striker Soufiane Rahimi, until the 16th minute of added time, when Cristian Medina equalized for Argentina.
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Moroccan fans stormed the pitch to protest the goal, prompting an angry scene that left the game suspended moments before the end.
Objects were thrown and Moroccan fans were accosted by security checkpoints. There were images of some Argentine players flinching when what appeared to be a flare was released.
And moments before play resumed, almost two hours later, the VAR disallowed the goal for offside, meaning Morocco held on for a 2-1 victory.
Earlier, Moroccan and Argentinian enthusiasts mingled outdoors and two Argentine enthusiasts waved a flag with a photo of the late Diego Maradona, along with the words “El Pibe de Oro” (the Golden Boy), the affectionate nickname for the enthusiasts. They called the winner of the 1986 World Cup.
There is a happy atmosphere in the streets leading to the Parc des Princes, which is close to the venue where Olympic tennis will be played at Roland Garros, home of Roland-Garros.
About 150 enthusiastic Uzbeks gathered outside the Porte d’Auteuil metro station, waving flags, singing songs and beating drums as they made their way to the stadium accompanied by a soft police presence. The Uzbekistan enthusiasts, perched on the top level of the Boulogne segment was one of the goals, made the maximum noise and began to sing even louder immediately after Pubill pounced from close range at the other goal to give Spain the lead.
Some Uzbek fans near the touchline danced and chanted “Uz-bek-is-tan” to the beat of intensely instant drums for several minutes at the start of the second half. They made a lot of noise when goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov saved Sergio Gómez’s penalty with his legs. He struck a few minutes later thanks to a low shot from Gómez.
Security is expected to be much tighter outdoors at the same stadium on Wednesday night, when Israel plays Mali in Group D amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.
Eight soccer matches were scheduled for Wednesday, two days before the opening ceremony. Rugby sevens also played 12 matches on Wednesday at 15. 30, as Australia beat Samoa 21-14 at the Stade de France, the national stadium, before hosts France drew 12. -12 with the United States.
Archery and handball also begin play ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony, with kickoff action on Thursday.
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