Paris 2024 Olympics Men’s Football | Quarter-final Preview

Events are coming thick and fast at the 2024 Olympics, and fans are loving it. Day 7 of the Olympics also brought a lot of excitement. However, the Men’s Football Quarterfinals stole the show, as multiple talented teams battled it out for the coveted Semifinals spots.

Following a hard fought and entertaining group stage, Argentina, France, Morrocco, Egypt, Spain, Japan, Paraguay and USA qualified for the quarters. The quality of football jumped up a notch on Friday as some of the finest U-23 teams faced each other in must-win ties. However, if you missed out on the action, do not worry because we’ve got you covered. 

1) France 1 –0 Argentina 

Arguably, the marquee game of the night. Both France and Argentina were considered the favorites for the gold medal. However, the two nations faced off against each other much before many football fans anticipated. Fans expected a thriller of a match, and that’s exactly what they got. The 1-0 scoreline doesn’t do the match justice, as Les Bleus and La Albiceleste played out what might be the best football game of the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Buoyed by the raucous home support at Stade de Bordeaux, France dominated the early proceedings. Les Bleus early dominance paid off when Jean-Philippe Mateta nodded in a header from former teammate Michael Olise’s corner in the 5th minute. After the opener, Thierry Henry’s men didn’t let up, as constant waves of French attacks restricted Argentina. La Albiceleste struggled to find any rhythm during the early exchanges.  

However, as the match progressed, Argentinians grew more comfortable. And their first big opportunity came in the 35th minute when Giuliano Simeone found himself with acres of space in France’s penalty area. However, Simeone missed the gilt-edged opportunity, firing miles over the bar from an unmarked back post position. 

After halftime, Argentina continued to dominate the possession stats. But La Albiceleste could break a stern French rearguard. In the 85-minute, new Bayern man Michael Olise scored a second French goal against the run of play. However, following a lengthy delay, VAR adjudged that Maghnes Akliouche strayed offside in the build-up to the goal.  

La Albiceleste maintained the pressure, as they searched for a vital equalizer. The game went into 10 minutes of injury time. But despite constant Argentinian probing, France held on to knock the current world champions out of the 2024 Olympics.  

2) Spain 3 - 0 Japan 

Heading into the knockout stages, Spain’s clash with Japan seemed incredibly poised, with both teams coming off impressive performances in the group stage. While Spain were considered the favorites, Japan’s incredible recent form balanced the scales. However, La Roja completely blew Japan out of the water.  

Spain took the lead after just 11 minutes when Barcelona starlet, Fermin Lopez, fired in a rocket from distance. La Roja completely dominated the early exchanges, as Japan failed to register a shot in the first 25 minutes of the game. However, following a drinks break, the Blue Samurais looked re-energized. In the 42nd minute, Japanese forward Mao Hosoya thought he had equalized, but VAR overturned the goal for offside. 

Hosoya was a constant threat for the Spanish defence, and in the dying embers of first half stoppage time, the 22-year-old forward stuck the post from a freekick. The game ebbed and flowed after the halftime break, but it was Fermin Lopez again who doubled La Roja’s lead with a wonderful dipping volley in the 73rd minute. Substitute Abel Ruiz rubber-stamped Spain’s victory in the 86th minute when he tapped in La Roja’s third. 

3) Egypt 1 – 1 Paraguay (Pens: 5 –4) 

Egypt overcame Paraguay 5-4 on penalties after a grueling 120-minute match. Many fans thought that this tie would be a cagey affair, and that’s exactly how this match played out. Egypt entered the on the back of an incredible win over Spain. However, the Pharaohs failed to build upon that momentum, as they found it hard to play their kind of football. 

Egypt dominated the first half. But for all their efforts, the Egyptians never managed to test the Paraguayan goalkeeper. The first half ended with the scores level at 0-0. Shortly after the halftime break, Egypt nearly scored when Zizo's cross was intercepted just before Ibrahim Adel could tap it in. However, despite Egypt’s dominance, it was Paraguay who broke the deadlock, breathing life back into this cagey quarterfinal. A brilliant lofted pass from Brighton's Enciso set up Diego Gomez, who expertly finished from close range. 

With the clock ticking to 90 minutes, Paraguay had the victory in their grasp. However, Ibrahim Adel nodded in a header from close range in the 88th minute, taking the game to extra time. Nothing much happened in the extra time, as both teams looked exhausted. All indications pointed towards a penalty shootout. The shootout commenced and Egypt’s Hamza Alaa saved Marcelo Perez’s spot kick, before Ibrahim Adel converted his penalty to hand Egypt their first Olympics semifinals spot in 60 years. 

4) Morocco 4 – 0 USA 

A talented and inspired Moroccan side brushed aside USMNT with easy in the quarters at Parc des Princes. Morocco were the dominant side during the early stages of the game, as USA struggled to cope with the Atlas Lions’ intense style of play. Unsurprisingly, it was Morocco who drew first blood, as Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty in the 28th minute. 

The Atlas Lions didn’t let their foot of the gas, and in the 58th minute Ilias Akhomach scored Morocco’s second after electrifying wing play on the left. PSG star Achraf Hakimi sealed a Moroccan win when he tapped in a well thought out Moroccan move. If there was any lingering doubt about their victory, El Mehdi Maouboub put it to rest by adding his name to the scoresheet to cap off a comprehensive Moroccan win. The Atlas Lions now face Spain in the semifinals. 

Also Read: 5 Men’s Football Olympics Quarterfinals That Became Instant Classics