Friday’s Morocco knockout of Team USA from the 2024 Olympics caused havoc. For most of the game, the strong North African team basically outplayed the American guys. Morocco ultimately defeated the USA 4-0, therefore extinguishing USA’s chances of an Olympic medal in men’s soccer.
Having finished second in Group A behind France, the Americans earlier advanced for the quarterfinals. USA dropped their opening game of the competition against the hosts, then dominated Guinea and New Zealand. Consequently, for the first time since 2000 the American men advanced to the knockout level at the Olympics.
On the other hand, Morocco won Group B with their rather contentious triumph against Argentina on July 24th. Though Morocco beat the South Americans, the two teams ended tied on points. The present top scorer of the tournament guides the African side. Soufiane Rahimi Additionally leading the team is Paris Saint-Germain player Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco gains early advantage thanks to penalty kick.
Marko Mitrovič, manager of Team USA, only changed his starting lineup one time from their last game. Making his first start of the 2024 Olympics, Jack McGlynn replaced Maximilian Dietz in midfield. The action was considered as a means to provide the Americans greater attack choices.
Early on in the game, both teams had really good goal possibilities. From a dangerous position following a free kick in the ninth minute, Paxten Aaronson blasted a shot just wide of the post. Though he may have converted the opportunity, the assailant was somewhat off-target hence a goal would not have counted. Four minutes later, Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made a good save on a shot by Ilas Akhomach.
Following a little dry spell for both sides, Morocco scored a penalty kick in the 26th minute of the game. First strangely playing the ball out of play to give his opponent a corner kick instead of passing the ball to Schulte, American defender Nathan Harriel was Though the next set shot did not produce a goal, Harriel took down Rahimi inside the box moments later for the penalty.
Eventually, the Moroccan striker came up and turned the great opportunity to provide his team the early lead. Although Schulte estimated the right direction of the shot, the ball slid just out of the rookie goalkeeper’s grasp. Rahimi had five goals for the tournament.
African team picks on possibilities to keep ahead of USA.
Morocco finished the first half definitely front foot. From the spot, the goal seemed to provide the African side some confidence. Still, team USA emerged from the halftime break looking quite superior going ahead. In the 49th minute, the Americans at last gathered their first aim on target for the game. Following a corner kick, captain Tanner Tessmann aimed a header on goal straight at Morocco’s keeper.
Then in the 59th minute Miles Robinson had a fantastic opportunity to even the score. But only a few yards in front of goal, the defender dragged his shot well wide of the post. Team USA recovered, but in the 63rd minute Morocco finally doubled their lead.
Abde Ezzalzouli kept the ball in play, gathered control out on the left side, and dashed toward the American goal. The assailant then executed a flawless low cross to Akhomach, a fellow boxer. The Villarreal winger just sent a shot past Schulte into the back of the net.
Just seven minutes later, Hakimi, performing at his home PSG stadium, added to the lead. First winning a header, the defender gathered the following pass to himself. Released to sprint towards Schulte, the Moroccan captain walked to the edge of the opposing box and fired a low shot into the net’s lower corner.
A strong penalty call helped Morocco wrap up their scoring. After earlier joining the fight for Rahimi, El Mehdi Maouhoub stood up to take the shot. Just signed for Dynamo Moscow, the striker turned the shot fiercely beyond the diving Schulte. On Monday, Morocco will next play the semifinal winner from Spain and Japan.
