Paris, France – Morocco and Egypt on Tuesday qualified for the quarter finals of the men’s soccer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
In Group B, Morocco went through with a commanding victory, delivering a masterclass performance to secure their place with a resounding 3-0 victory over Iraq in a Day 3 group match.
The match, held at the iconic Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, showcased the Atlas Lions’ determination and skill as they dominated their opponents from start to finish.
From the opening whistle, Morocco’s intent was clear. The team, led by the talismanic Achraf Hakimi, pressed high and attacked with purpose, looking to settle the tie early.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 19th minute when Amir Richardson, displaying remarkable agility, finished off a well-orchestrated team move to break the deadlock.
The Moroccan onslaught continued, and just 10 minutes later, Sofiane Rahimi doubled their lead with a clinical finish that left the Iraqi defence in disarray.
The first half rout was completed in the 36th minute when the highly-rated Abde Ezzalzouli added a third, effectively ending Iraq’s resistance and securing Morocco’s passage.
The second half saw Morocco manage the game professionally, controlling possession and nullifying any attempts by Iraq to mount a comeback.
As the final whistle blew, the Moroccan players and fans celebrated a job well done, but the focus quickly shifted to the challenges ahead.
The clean sheet will be particularly pleasing for coach Issame Charaï, whose defensive organization was impeccable throughout the match.
This victory not only demonstrates Morocco’s credentials as serious contenders for an Olympic medal but also continues the nation’s recent football success following their historic World Cup semi-final appearance in 2022.
The team’s fluid attacking play and solid defensive foundation will give them confidence as they prepare to face the United States in what promises to be an enthralling quarter-final clash.
In Group C, Adel hit a brace as Egypt stunned Spain to win the group.
Egypt produced a stunning performance to defeat Spain 2-1, securing the top spot and a place in the quarter-finals.
The match, held at the Matmut Atlantique stadium, saw Egypt overcome early Spanish dominance to claim a victory that few had predicted.
Spain, already qualified and boasting a perfect record coming into the game, found themselves outmaneuvered by a determined Egyptian side.
The breakthrough came just before half-time when Zizo’s surging run down the right flank set up Ibrahim Adel, who curled a magnificent shot past the Spanish goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
Adel, the star of Egypt’s U-23 AFCON campaign, doubled his tally and Egypt’s lead in the 59th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Jon Pacheco to slot home coolly.
Spain pushed for a response and found a consolation through Samu Omorodion in the 90th minute, but it was too little, too late for the European side.
The result sees Egypt finish top of Group C with seven points, leapfrogging Spain who end the group stage in second place with six points.
Both teams progress to the quarter-finals, while the Dominican Republic’s Olympic journey comes to an end following their 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan
