Spain came back from a goal down to win it late against Morocco in the semi-finals of the men’s football in the ongoing Olympic Games today 5th August 2024 at Stade Velodrome in Marseille France.
Both teams started well and pressed high in the opening stages of the game amidst a lively atmosphere at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome but neither side was able to gain a foothold in the first 15 minutes as there was little to talk about in terms of scoring opportunity.
However, the talking point of the first 15 minutes was the injury of referee Ilgiz Tantashev after he collided with Marc Pubill and needed to be replaced by the fourth official, Glenn Nyberg who had decent officiating.
Spain equalised in the 65th after Fermin Lopez showed quick feet in the box and fired a left-footed shot low in the bottom corner.
It was the Barcelona midfielder’s fourth goal of the tournament.
Morocco led 1-0 at halftime after the tournament’s leading scorer Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty in the 37th minute.
Sanchez scored in the 85th minute at Stade de Marseille to seal a 2-1 win over Morocco and set up a final against either France or Egypt.
Juanlu Sanchez was the hero as he came off the bench to fire Spain to a record-equaling fifth Olympic men’s football final on Monday.
Morocco was awarded a penalty kick in the 35th minute after Pablo Barrios attempted to clear the ball but was beaten to the ball by Amir Richardson, who Barrios caught on the back of the leg.
Prolific Soufiane Rahimi who has been instrumental for Morocco in this year’s Olympics made no mistake from the spot to break the deadlock as he sent the goalkeeper to the wrong side of the post.
The goal against Spain saw Rahimi maintain his record of first African to score in every match in the Olympics Ganes, extending his lead as the top scorer in the tournament to six.
Morocco went to the halftime interval with a 1-0 lead.
Spain began the second from where they left off as they pressed Morocco high on the pitch and their hard work paid off 20 minutes into the second half, after Femin Lopez who is having the summer of his life capitalized on a loose
Moroccan touch inside the area, navigated his way out, and steered the ball into the bottom corner to get things level for Spain and take his tally for the tournament to four.
Morocco’s wastefulness in front of goal came back to hunt them as they were put into a sort of emotional mangel as super sub Juanlu Sanchez came off the bench to win late for La Roja in the 86th minute to complete the comeback.
The win against Morocco sees Spain’s second consecutive appearance in the final of the Olympic men’s football after they had to settle for silver three years ago in Tokyo after losing in extra time to Brazil.
Morocco on the flip side of things can still claim their first medal by winning the bronze medal match, which will take place on Thursday in Nantes against the loser in France and Egypt game.
Spain can secure their second gold in the Olympics after their triumph in Barcelona in the 1992 Olympic Games on Friday in Parc De Princess in Paris against either host France or Egypt.
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Story by: Rabbi Adu Agyei|univers.ug.edu.gh
