In the 32nd minute, Barrios brought down Taghalint in the box while attempting to clear the ball. After reviewing the VAR, the referee awarded a penalty kick, which Rahimi converted by chipping past goalkeeper Tenas. Morocco 1-0 Spain.
In the 66th minute, Spain equalized! It was Firmin again, who seized the ball after a Moroccan clearance and fired a powerful left-footed shot into the net from inside the box. Morocco 1-1 Spain.
In the 85th minute, Spain took the lead! Firmin provided the pass for Sanchez, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net from inside the box. Morocco 1-2 Spain.
Match Report
At 0:00 on August 6, in the semi-final of the men’s football event at the Paris Olympics, Morocco Olympic Team faced off against Spain Olympic Team.
In the 3rd minute, Oroz fouled Ahomach during an aerial challenge in midfield and received a verbal warning from the referee.
In the 8th minute, Achraf delivered a free-kick from the right flank into the box, where Rahimi tried to glance it with his head but failed to make proper contact.
In the 12th minute, the Uzbekistani referee Tantashev had to be substituted after colliding with Firmin. The fourth official, Nyberg from Sweden, replaced him.
In the 21st minute, Firmin unleashed a long-range shot from over 30 meters out, which Kajoui parried away for a corner.
In the 45th minute, Achraf aggressively tackled Miranda near the touchline and received a verbal warning from the referee.
At halftime, Morocco led 1-0 thanks to Rahimi’s penalty goal.
In the second half, in the 53rd minute, Barrios unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which Kajoui safely punched away.
In the 71st minute, Achraf assisted Richardson, whose curling shot from the top of the box narrowly missed the post.
In the 81st minute, Firmin’s volley from a headed clearance in the box was blocked by a defender for a corner.
In the 88th minute, Ezalouzoli’s powerful shot from the edge of the box went just over the bar.
The match ended with Spain Olympic Team defeating Morocco Olympic Team 2-1, securing their spot in the final of the men’s football event at the Paris Olympics.
Player Lineups
Morocco U23 starting lineup: 1-Kajoui; 2-Achraf; 17-Azzouzi; 11-Wahidi; 4-Boukamil; 16-Ezalouzoli; 14-Taghalint; 10-Ahomach; 18-Richardson; 7-Benseghir; 9-Rahimi
Substitutes: 12-Ghanimi; 3-Nakkazi; 5-Tahif; 13-Khaiti; 6-Bouchaouari; 8-Hannous; 15-Maoub
Spain U23 starting lineup: 1-Tenas; 3-Miranda; 4-Garcia; 2-Pubill; 5-Kubasi; 17-Gomez; 10-Baena; 14-Oroz; 6-Barrios; 11-Firmin; 9-Ruiz
Substitutes: 13-J. Garcia; 15-Gutierrez; 12-Pacheco; 16-Bernabe; 20-Sanchez; 8-Turrientes; 18-Omorodion