Tokyo Games silver medallists Spain face Morocco today, looking to reach a second consecutive Olympic men’s football final and seek redemption for their World Cup last-16 defeat to Morocco two years ago.
Morocco secured their first Olympic semi-final spot with a 4-0 victory over the United States in Paris, while Spain advanced with a 3-0 win over Japan in Lyon on Friday. Spain had lost to Brazil 2-1 after extra time in the Tokyo final.
Morocco, led by captain Achraf Hakimi and top scorer Soufiane Rahimi, who has netted five goals, began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Argentina in a thrilling Group B opener, followed by a 3-0 victory against Iraq and a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine.
Spain, meanwhile, achieved a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan and a 3-1 triumph over the Dominican Republic before finishing second in Group C with a 2-1 loss to Egypt.
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Although today’s match in Marseille is an under-23 contest, Spanish media view it as an opportunity to avenge their World Cup shootout loss, while Hakimi sees it as a chance to showcase Morocco’s progress. “The World Cup opened doors for us; Moroccan football is growing,” Hakimi, 25, said after their quarter-final win. “We need to show the young players that we can compete with the best.”
The game will feature several familiar faces, including Paris Saint-Germain teammates Hakimi and goalkeeper Arnau Tenas, Villarreal’s Ilias Akhomach and Alex Baena, and Real Betis’ Abde Ezzalzouli and Juan Miranda, who recently signed with Bologna.
“Before the Olympics, I told ‘Haki’ that Spain would play Morocco and we’d win,” Tenas said. “Haki is my friend and one of the best players in the world. We’ll see what happens.”
In the other semi-final, hosts France, seeking their first gold medal in 40 years, will face Egypt in Lyon.
