Argentina had a good debut in the Beijing Olympic football tournament as they defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 at the Shanghai stadium. Lionel Messi was the most dangerous attacking player for his country and scored the opening goal.

The game was fairly close and both teams had their chances to win. After 40 minutes Leo Messi picked up a through ball from Juan Román Riquelme and sent the ball to the left of the Ivorian keeper and into the goal, giving Argentina the lead. Seven minutes into the second period the African side equalized through a header from Cisse. As time passed the game was looking likely to finish in a draw, but five minutes before the end Sevilla FC player Lautaro Acosta scored the winning goal for the Southamerican side. Acosta got the rebound off the keeper after a shot from Lionel Messi and put it in the back of the net to secure the three points.

The second game in the group phase will see Argentina face Australia on Sunday.