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Morocco thrash USA to reach Paris 2024 Olympic Games football semi-finals - as it happened
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Published 02/08/2024 at 14:37 GMT+1
Morroco and the USA men's teams go head-to-head in the first knockout match of the Paris 2024 Olympic football tournament. The north African side topped their group to advance while the Americans finished behind France as both teams eye a semi-final spot after their showdown at the Parc des Princes.
Morocco's forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi (L) celebrates with Morocco's forward #10 Ilias Akhomach (C) and teammates after scoring his team's first goal in the men's group B football match between Argentina and Morocco during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Image credit: Getty Images
90+5' FINAL RESULT: MOROCCO 4-0 USA
Akram Nakach replaces Ilias Akhomach late on, but the final whistle sounds. Morocco advance to the Olympic semi-finals against Japan or Spain on Monday. Well deserved too.
89' GOAL! (MAOUHOUB) MOROCCO 4-0 USA
Sub El Mehdi Maouhoub slams the penalty into the corner of the net. No chance for Schulte even though he guessed right. Five minutes added.
88' VAR CALL: PENALTY TO MOROCCO!
Akhomach drives the ball at goal. Comes off the right hand of Harriel. Referee missed it it, but VAR intervened. Another harsh call against the USA.
86' MOROCCO LOOKING FOR A FOURTH
Hakimi once again showing his class and quality to speed down the right flank. Cross is cleared before a shot by Akhomach deflects over the bar.
84' END OF THE ROAD IS NIGH FOR USA
Morocco have earned the right to take the foot off the gas late on. Seeing this one out with some control. Technically very, very good from the Atlas Lions today.
82' MOROCCO OPT FOR A TRIPLE CHANGE
This match will soon be a historical fact. And Morocco know it. They make a triple change for the closing moments.Yassine Kechta replaces Oussama Targhalline, El Mehdi Maouhoub replaces Soufiane Rahimi and Benjamin Bouchouari takes over from Amir Richardson.
80' CHANGES ALL THE RAGE
Benja Cremaschi replaces Paxten Aaronson for USA with Caleb Wiley on for John Tolkin.
78' REAL TOGETHERNESS WITH MOROCCO
The fans having a party in Paris and there is real unity between those Morocco players. Time the enemy for US hopes of a comeback. Time and an inspired opponent.
76' TIME FOR ANOTHER YELLOW CARD
This match has slipped away from the USA in the blink of an eye in the second half. Has been an uphill struggle as Paxten Aaronson is booked for taking out Oussama Targhalline.
74' MOROCCO ALSO ALTER THEIR FORMATION
Eliesse Ben Seghir replaces Abde Ezzalzouli, who can be happy enough with his lot. Nice position to be in when you depart the action.
72' ANOTHER USA CHANGE ON THE GO
But these changes are all reactive. USA needed to get on the front foot, but have spent most of it chasing shadows. Morocco heading for the last four. Josh Atencio replaces Jack McGlynn for the USA.
70' GOAL! (HAKIMI) MOROCCO 3-0 USA
And that is surely game, set and match as Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi dances up the park before sliding a low shot into the net. The PSG player almost passed that into the USA goal. And it is 3-0.
68' CHANGES COMING FOR THE USA
Looks too little, too late. USA will need to throw caution to the wind out there. Taylor Booth replaces Griffin Yow while Duncan McGuire is on for Djordje Mihailovic.
66' VAR CHECK ON THE GOAL
Bit of a delay in the play to see if the ball went out in the build-up to the goal. It didn't, and the USA are suddenly in deep, deep trouble here.
64' GOAL! (AKHOMACH) MOROCCO 2-0 USA
Akhomach arrives to prod the ball into the net from the Abde Ezzalzouli cross ball. Fine finish from five yards out at near post and suddenly it is a 2-0 lead for Morocco.
62' ZIMMERMAN WITH A BRILLIANT TACKLE
A superb piece of defending by the US central defender to win the ball from Rahimi. Had to get that one spot on in his own box. And did. Excellent covering work.
60' GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR USA
Zimmerman wins the ball well in the Morocco box. Robinson arrives 12 yards out, but he mishits the volley as the finish spins well wide. Golden chance to bring the US level at 1-1. But not taken.
58' ANOTHER BOOKING IS DISHED OUT
Bilal El Khannouss with a late foul on Paredes as he tried to drive away from his own goal. El Khannouss will miss the semi-final if Morocco progress to that stage.
56' CHANGES SURELY COMING FOR USA
Time perhaps for the USA coach Marko Mitrovic to shuffle the pack otherwise this match is in danger of running away from the American side.
54' TREATMENT REQUIRED FOR KEEPER
El Kajoui did not hesitate in coming off his line to punch clear the danger. Needs a spot of deep heat probably after taking a sore one among the traffic.
52' USA CHASE AN EQUALISER
El Kajoui off his line to punch the ball clear under pressure from Zimmerman.
50' BETTER FROM TEAM USA
Aaronson has a pop at goal from distance. Blocked by El Ouahdi before Tessmann's header is easily clasped by El Kajoui from the corner. Better look of intent from the US.
48' MORE MOROCCO PRESSURE
No changes at the break as Zimmerman knocks the ball behind for a corner to the men in red. Nothing doing on that occasion. USA seem to be lacking ideas and energy so far. And most crucially, the ball for most of the time.
46' WE ARE BACK UNDERWAY
Another team huddle from Morocco in the tunnel. Only 45 minutes away from a historic appearance in the Olympic semi-finals. Vital that USA get bodies further up pitch.
1505 – HOW DO I WATCH THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES?
A host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, breaking.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
HALF-TIME: MOROCCO 1-0 USA
The first half in sweltering Paris ends with Ezzalzouli lifting a free-kick over the bar. Never on target before the whistle sounds. USA with work to do in the second half.
45+1' FIVE MINUTES ADDED TO FIRST HALF
A few delays for treatment to players in the first half is reflected by the added time. US will probably by content to reach the break trailing 1-0.
43' EVERY WHITE SHIRT IN THEIR OWN HALF
Zimmerman doing well to clear the danger after Hakimi tried to work his magic on the edge of the US box. Frantic stuff.
41' USA TRYING TO FINISH HALF ON A HIGH
Have enjoyed very little joy in this first period. Only one attempt at goal compared to eight from Morocco, who are so bright when the opportunity presents itself. Surely changes needed at the break.
39' DID THIS LOOK LIKE A PENALTY?
Think it was probably of the soft variety, but you also run the risk if you leave your leg dangling at such an angle in the box.
37' USA LOOKING HOT AND BOTHERED
No question who has the upper hand. Morocco enjoying the heat and the conditions out there. All very comfortable.
35' MOROCCO EARN ANOTHER DECENT FREE-KICK
Ezzalzouli is felled late by Harriel. Ezzalzouli opts to go for goal, but lifts the ball well over the bar. Poor finish really.
33' USA BEING DRAGGED ALL OVER PITCH
The white shirts forced to hit on the counter attack with Morocco continuing to work some fine angles. Plenty of width as they earn another corner.
31' INJURY SCARE FOR MOROCCO
An awkward fall for Rahimi, who is needing some treatment out there. Hot old day in Paris. So chance to take on water too. Even referee is feeling it.
29' CAN'T SAY THE GOAL WASN'T COMING
Morocco have looked the likelier side in the final third and probably deserve that opener. Just under 60% of possession so far.
27' GOAL! (RAHIMI) MOROCCO 1-0 USA
Well, that was an excellent penalty. And it had to be as Rahimi just squeezed his fifth goal of these Olympic Games beyond Schulte as he dived low to his right. Party time among the Morocco fans.
25' PENALTY TO MOROCCO!
Nathan Harriel deemed to be late on Rahimi in challenging for a loose ball. VAR will take a look at that, but not sure that call will be overturned.
23' MEMORIES OF EURO '84
This of course the iconic venue where France completed a 2-0 win over Spain to carry off the European Championship in 1984 inspired by Michel Platini. Still looks very familiar 40 years on. Golden memories being created here.
21' US GOING LONG FROM FREE-KICKS
Continue to pump balls straight into the opposition box, but this time the delivery by Mihailovic is easily gathered by El Kajoui in the Morocco goal.
19' USA PUNISHED FOR A HANDLING OFFENCE
US desperate to earn some time on the ball as McGlynn has a shot charged down before Mihailovic is penalised for using an errant hand. Not sure he knew much about that.
17' MOROCCO GO FOR GOAL
Achraf Hakimi opts to have a flash at the sticks from the free-kick, 22 yards out, but straight into the arms of Schulte. Comfortable stop.
15' FIRST PLAYER BOOKED TODAY
Jack McGlynn has been yellow carded for a late one on Akhomach. No complaints. Morocco are very sharp in the final third.
13' ALMOST THE OPENER FOR MOROCCO
Lovely move from a short corner ends up with Akhomach slamming a shot at goal that is touched over his bar by Schulte diving high to his left. Excellent stop as that was heading into the US net.
11' BOTH TEAMS FIRED UP FOR THIS ONE
Passion in the stands, and on the pitch in Paris today.
9' USA WORK A NICE MOVE FROM SET-PIECE
Zimmerman powers a header into the heart of the Morocco box, but Aaronson just offside as he flicked the finish wide of goal. US looking a real threat in the air.
7' PLENTY OF TACKLES FLYING IN
Game yet to settle into a pattern of pressure. USA greeted by boos every time they get their foot on the ball. Abde Ezzalzouli with a late clip on Paredes as US earn a free-kick.
5' BRIEF DELAY IN PLAY
Tolkin caught that ball from the corner flush on the face. Seemed to rock back his neck. A bit dazed, but hopefully he can continue. Morocco back in possession seconds later.
3' USA WITH A HIGH PRESS
Three white shirts trying to engage Morocco in their own half, but the African side move the ball quickly up the pitch to earn a corner. Tolkin with a clearing header before he requires some treatment.
1' WE ARE UP AND RUNNING
USA take the kick-off. US in white, Morocco in red. Feels like the crowd are very much behind the Atlas Lions this afternoon. El Ouahdi knocks the ball behind for a corner to the US in the opening seconds. El Kajoui off his line to punch clear the danger under pressure from Zimmerman.
1355 – PLAYERS IN THE TUNNEL
Almost ready to get this show on the road for the first of the four men's quarter-final matches. Morocco with a huddle ahead of their march to the match. Lovely day for football. And the home of PSG looks ideal for getting the ball on the deck for passing football. A passionate rendition of the national anthems. As you would expect.
1350 – DRAMATIC MOMENT IN MOROCCO'S MEDAL PUSH
Watch some of the dramatic scenes as the Argentina v Morocco clash gets 'disrupted' in the wake of what appears to be a dramatic goal - which much, much later gets disallowed.
It was a crazy match with Morocco eventually holding on for a 2-1 victory.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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Argentina v Morocco clash 'disrupted' in wake of dramatic goal - which gets disallowed
Video credit: TNT Sports
1345 – POSSIBLE ROAD TO GOLDEN GLORY
Opportunity knocks for both these teams today with a semi-final against Japan or Spain in the horizon if they can successfully negotiate this quarter-final.
1340 – STARTING LINE-UPS FOR TODAY
USA: Schulte, Harriel, M. Robinson, Zimmerman, Tolkin, McGlynn, Mihailovic, Tessman, Paredes, P. Aaronson, Yow
Morocco: Munir, Hakimi, El Azzoui, Boukamir, El Ouahdi, A. Richardson, Targhalline, El Khannous, Akhomach, Rahimi, Ezzalzouli
1335 – HOW DO I WATCH THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES?
A host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, breaking.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
1330 – GOOD AFTERNOON AHEAD OF A HUGE CLASH
Huge day ahead in the men's quarter-finals of the Olympic Games. First up is the USA against Morocco with a 2pm kick-off at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The USA are playing their first quarter-finals at the Olympic Games since Sydney in 2000. Marko Mitrovic's side finished runners-up in Group A boosted by wins over New Zealand and Guinea after an opening loss to hosts France, while Morocco topped Group B with wins over Argentina and Iraq with defeat to Ukraine failing to deprive them of top spot. This is the first time the Atlas Lions have gone beyond the group stage since the U23 rule was introduced in 1992. Should be a thrilling contest ahead as the US men bid to take a step closer to emulating the golden triumph of the US women's team in 1996.
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discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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