Argentina avoided a third consecutive group stage exit at the Olympic football tournament by defeating Ukraine 2-0 at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.
Heading into matchday three, Group B was wide open, with all four teams tied on three points each. Argentina, leading on goal difference, dominated the early play, though converting their dominance into scoring opportunities proved challenging.
Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez was a constant threat in the first half, with his best chance being a curler from the edge of the area that went wide. The first half, devoid of shots on target until the 42nd minute, suddenly became lively in its closing moments.
Alvarez, set up by Thiago Almada, narrowly missed at the near post, and Luciano Gondou was denied in a one-on-one with the Ukrainian goalkeeper. Ukraine’s Ilya Krupskyi also tested Argentina’s Geronimo Rulli with a powerful strike just before halftime.
At halftime, Morocco led Iraq 3-0 in the group’s other fixture, placing Argentina in a strong position heading into the second half, ahead of Ukraine on goal difference.
Argentina’s lead was secured within two minutes of the restart when Almada unleashed a powerful long-range shot that beat Ukrainian goalkeeper Kiril Fesiun.
Ukraine struggled to respond after conceding so quickly, with substitutions failing to spark a comeback. The Argentine defense, which had not kept a clean sheet in their previous two games, held firm.
Ukraine’s elimination was confirmed in stoppage time when Claudio Echeverri scored on the rebound, ensuring Argentina advanced to the knockout stages, potentially facing hosts France next.
Despite Argentina’s victory, Morocco’s 3-0 win over Iraq secured them the top spot in the group.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")