The Paris Olympics started with soccer matches featuring Spain and Argentina on Wednesday. Spain played against Uzbekistan at Parc des Princes in western Paris, the former home of Kylian Mbappé when he played for Paris Saint-Germain.
Uzbekistan’s captain Eldor Shomurodov, who played for Cagliari in Serie A last season and had scored 40 goals for his country before this match, kicked off the game. He passed the ball back to a teammate and then applauded.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino met with players before the match. Spain’s right-back Marc Pubill scored the first goal in the 29th minute.
Argentina, without Lionel Messi for these Games, also started their match at 3 p.m. against Morocco in Saint-Étienne at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, nicknamed Le Chaudron (The Cauldron) for its passionate local supporters.
Outside the stadium, fans from Morocco and Argentina mixed together. Two Argentina fans displayed a flag with a picture of the late Diego Maradona and the words “El Pibe de Oro” (the Golden Kid), a nickname for the 1986 World Cup winner.
There was a lively atmosphere in the streets near Parc des Princes, which is close to Roland Garros where Olympic tennis will be played, home of the French Open.
