Rob Dieperink has been appointed by FIFA as VAR for the match between Argentina and Iraq at the Olympic Games. It will be Dieperink's second match at the Olympic Games.

The duel between Argentina and Iraq promises to be a tough one. The Argentinians were furious after the first group match against Morocco. The team of coach Javier Mascherano seemed to equalize in minute 106 (!), but nothing could be further from the truth.

After the 2-2, which would eventually be disallowed, Moroccan fans entered the field and Argentinian players were bombarded with sound bombs. Referee Glenn Nyberg stopped the match, only to see on the VAR screen after it was restarted, almost two hours later, that there was offside: goal disallowed.

In the three minutes that remained, Morocco managed to pull the 1-2 lead over the line. Afterwards, the Argentinians were furious. Mascherano stated that he had never seen such a big 'circus' and even Lionel Messi interfered with the events: “Insólito (translated: unseen).”

Another defeat could be fatal for Argentina. Iraq won its first group match 2-1 against Ukraine and will therefore leave Argentina behind if it wins. If Morocco, who will play Ukraine two hours later, also wins or draws, top favorite Argentina will be out of the tournament.

Espen Eskas from Norway will be the referee in Lyon on Saturday. He will be assisted on the sidelines by his compatriots Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin. VAR Dieperink will be assisted by AVAR Tatiana Guzmán from Nicaragua.

Dieperink was previously the VAR at the match between Guinea and New Zealand. The New Zealanders won that match 1-2, partly thanks to a goal by NAC Breda midfielder Matthew Garbett.

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