Two years after Morocco’s historic fourth place at the 2022 World Cup, the Olympic team qualified for the semi-finals of the football tournament after its quarter-final victory over the United States (4-0) this Friday, August 2. The Atlas Lion Cubs will play the first semi-final in their history at the Olympics against Spain, victorious over Japan (3-0). For its part, Egypt overcame Paraguay (1-1, 5-4 TAB) and will face France for a place in the final.
Published on: 02/08/2024 – 17:05Modified on: 02/08/2024 – 23:03
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From our special correspondent at the Parc des Princes,
We don’t know how many there were, but there were enough to set the place on fire, make a hell of a noise, and carry their team to a historic semi-final at the Olympic football tournament. Morocco is in the last four and is getting closer to an Olympic medal, the first in football, and it owes it in part to its thousands of supporters who took over the Parc des Princes and its 45,000 seats.
« We must thank our supporters, Achraf Hakimi will confide at the end of the match. In every stadium we played, they responded. »
In red and/or white, the Moroccan supporters won the match in the stands against American fans who were scattered and barely audible in front of the Moroccan fury. On the field, the Atlas Lion Cubs were imperial with a domination and a stranglehold on the match that was clearly reflected in the final score.
As in the first three matches, Morocco relied on Soufiane Rahimi, who scored in each outing and opened the scoring on a penalty half an hour into the game (29th minute). The Al-Ain (Qatar) striker has scored five goals, including three penalties, since the start of the tournament.
Guided by their captain and tenant of the premises, Achraf Hakimi, PSG player, “ best full-back in the world “, said their coach Tarik Sitioui, the Moroccans never really trembled. Except for a great American collective move that Jack McGlynn was unable to conclude, even though he was alone in front of Munir’s goal (55th). This will have the merit of triggering for the first time ” U….S….A ! ” in the aisles.
Moroccan fans set fire to the Parc des Princes. REUTERS – Piroschka Van De Wouw
The American revolt was nipped in the bud by the second Moroccan goal, well constructed and concluded by Ilias Alhomach (63rd) on a back pass from Abde Ezzalzouli. And to give more symbolism to this victory, captain Achraf Hakimi offered himself a beautiful goal in his stadium at the end of a solitary raid completed by a left-footed strike that knocked out the American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte for the third time that afternoon. El Mehdi Maouhoub then scored the last Moroccan goal on a penalty in added time (90th + 1).
Morocco is now one victory away from a guaranteed medal. They will have to win in the semi-final against Spain, who crushed Japan (3-0), another team that is among the big favorites with France. But since the start of this tournament, the Lionceaux have shown that they have no limits to write their history, two years after their elders in the World Cup. The objective is ” the medal ,” Hakimi launched.
For Egypt, things were more difficult against Paraguay but the Egyptians finally reached the semi-finals after 120 minutes (1-1, 5-4 on penalties). After the Paraguayans opened the scoring at the end of the match thanks to a goal from Diego Gomez (71st minute), Ibrahim Adel equalized for the Pharaohs just before the end of regulation time (88th minute). The match did not get any more exciting during extra time and was decided on penalties, with a decisive save from Egyptian goalkeeper Hamza Alaa on Paraguay’s second strike. Egypt will face France for a place in the final of the Olympic tournament.
Also read: Follow the 2024 Olympic Games on RFI
