Morocco Qualifies for Olympics Semifinals at Paris 2024
Captain Achraf Hakimi was among the scorers as a dominant Moroccan team outclassed the USA, securing a place in the semifinals of the Olympic men’s football tournament with a resounding 4-0 victory in their quarterfinal clash.
With the majority of the packed and vocal crowd at the Parc des Princes behind them, Morocco proved too strong for the USA. Soufiane Rahimi opened the scoring from the penalty spot, followed by second-half goals from Ilias Akhomach and Hakimi. Mehdi Maouhoub sealed the win with another penalty in stoppage time.
Morocco, having topped their group ahead of Argentina, are now serious gold medal contenders. They will face either Japan or Spain in the semifinal on Monday in Marseille. The final is set for next Friday, August 9, at the Parc des Princes.
The USA struggled to recover after Rahimi converted a penalty just before the half-hour mark, following a foul by Nathan Harriel. Rahimi, one of Morocco’s three overage players, is the tournament’s top scorer with five goals in four games.
Morocco doubled their lead in the 63rd minute. Ezzalzouli created a superb play on the left flank, setting up Akhomach to finish at the near post. Hakimi, playing on his home ground for Paris Saint-Germain, added a third with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Maouhoub concluded the scoring with a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Harriel.
The other quarterfinals are set to take place later today, with France, coached by Thierry Henry, facing Argentina in Bordeaux. This will be their first encounter since controversial racist chants by Argentina players following their Copa America victory in mid-July.
