Olympic defeat

The bulk of Argentina’s Olympic Games squad played a friendly behind closed doors at the AFA’s training complex in Ezeiza on Tuesday, and lost 4-2 against a Panamanian side who were notably fitter and more motivated. Whilst the match was only an evalution session for Argentine coach Sergio Batista, Panama have to qualify for the competition and were treating this as a more immediate warm-up for that task.

Argentina took an early lead through Maxi Oliva, but Panama hit back with three goals in six whirlwind minutes around half an hour in, through Nelson Barahona, Cristian Vega and Eduardo Jiménez. Shortly before half time Jonathan Cristaldo pulled one back for Argentina to make it 3-2, but the game was sealed in the 85th minute as Edison Aguilera wrapped things up for the visitors.