In the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s football tournament, Morocco delivered a strong performance and secured a 4-0 victory over the USA.
The game saw Captain Achraf Hakimi among the scorers, with Soufiane Rahimi opening the scoring from the penalty spot, followed by goals from Ilias Akhomach and Hakimi in the second half.
Mehdi Maouhoub sealed the win with another spot-kick. Having topped their group, Morocco is positioned as a strong contender for the gold medal and will advance to the semi-final in Marseille on Monday.
The Olympic men’s football final is scheduled to take place at the Parc des Princes on Friday, August 9.
Morocco's impressive display has garnered strong support from the Moroccan community in France, with the team entering the Games as the reigning champions of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Led by Captain Achraf Hakimi and supported by prolific players like Soufiane Rahimi, Ilias Akhomach, and Abde Ezzalzouli, Morocco executed a dominant performance, leaving the United States struggling to recover.
Despite a missed opportunity by Miles Robinson, Morocco extended their lead with goals from Akhomach and Hakimi. A penalty by substitute Maouhoub in stoppage time sealed Morocco’s comprehensive victory.
The remaining quarter-finals are set to unfold, with the matchup between hosts France and two-time gold medallists Argentina anticipated to be a highlight.
This encounter comes in the wake of recent controversy, as FIFA announced an investigation into racist chants targeting French players during the Copa America celebrations.