Morocco advanced to the knockout stages at the Olympic Games for the first time since 1972 after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Iraq almost saw them qualify as group winners – the champagne had to stay in the cooler as Argentina’s two-nil win over Ukraine spoiled the party.With all four teams in Group B locked on three points, Morocco and Iraq knew only a victory would ensure their progress to the quarter-finals. It was Tarik Sektioui’s men who started on the front foot and their early pressure was rewarded in the 19th minute, with Amir Richardson heading home from close range after a brilliant run and cross from Achraf Hakimi.🚨 Morocco Goal against Iraq pic.twitter.com/XMkuUMzkna— KinG £ (@xKGx__) July 30, 2024 Armed with the momentum, Morocco doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark, as Soufiane Rahimi reacted fastest inside the six-yard box to clinically convert a loose ball. The one-way traffic showed no signs of slowing down as the first half progressed and the Atlas Lions duly added a third before the break. The goal arrived in scintillating fashion, with Abde Ezzalzouli cutting inside his marker on the left edge of the box before curling a sublime strike into the far corner to give Morocco a commanding lead at the halfway stage.🚨🏅 GOAL | Morocco 2-0 Iraq | Soufiane Rahimi pic.twitter.com/ib11kggL4Q— GOALSbible (@goalsbiblefc) July 30, 2024 🚨 Morocco third goal against Iraq 🤯pic.twitter.com/KgCPmGJ76O— KinG £ (@xKGx__) July 30, 2024 The opening exchanges of the second period followed a similar pattern to the first, with Sektioui’s side dominating possession and going close through the lively Ezzalzouli. Clear-cut chances came at a premium for Morocco though, as they took their foot off the gas with one foot firmly in the last eight.Having lost to the Atlas Lions at the same stage in 2004, Iraq looked determined to salvage a late consolation from the contest. However, Ali Jasim saw their best opportunity blocked by the resolute Moroccan rearguard, as Sektioui’s men eased through the closing stages to book their spot in the knockouts and move one step closer to a first-ever medal at the Olympics.It won’t hurt much but Spain have a lot to fear of: the Pharaohs take group C with Abel’s braceElsewhere, Argentina avoided a third consecutive group stage exit at the Olympic football tournament, seeing off Ukraine 2-0 at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.Group B was wide open heading into matchday three, with all four sides locked on three points each after the opening two rounds. Argentina – who held top spot before a ball was kicked on goal difference – dominated the opening exchanges, though turning that dominance into chances to score was proving difficult. Manchester City striker Julian Álvarez was unsurprisingly their most dangerous outlet throughout the first half, first threatening with a curler from the edge of the area that drifted wide.A turgid first half that had failed to produce a shot on target before the 42nd minute suddenly exploded into life in the closing stages. After being slipped through by Thiago Almada, Álvarez fired wide at the near post before Luciano Gondou was denied when one-on-one with the goalkeeper for Argentina, while Ukraine showed their threat with a thunderous Ilya Krupskyi strike that stung the palms of Gerónimo Rulli on the stroke of halftime.##EDITORS_CHOICE##With Morocco 3-0 up against Iraq by the break in the group’s other fixture, it was Argentina holding all the cards heading into the second half, leading the Ukrainians on goal difference. Their position was strengthened even further within two minutes of the restart in extraordinary fashion, as Almada surged forward and unleashed a ferocious long-range strike that flew past a helpless Kiril Fesiun to hand Javier Mascherano’s men the lead.GOAL | Argentina 1️⃣ – 0️⃣ UkraineThiago Almada scores ⚽️🔥 pic.twitter.com/KyeP5HsMoc— Goat Chief (@goat10_chief) July 30, 2024 Conceding so quickly following the restart was a hammer blow to the Ukrainians, who failed to muster much by way of reply. A raft of substitutions did little to rally the underdogs, nor did the newly-found solidity of an Argentinian defence that had failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their prior two matches at the Games. Ukraine’s elimination from the competition, which had long since appeared inevitable, was confirmed in stoppage time when Claudio Echeverri finished on the rebound to ensure his side advanced to the knockout stages where a blockbuster clash with hosts France could await them.🚨🏅 GOAL | Argentina 2-0 Ukraine | Claudio EcheverriCLAUDIO ECHEVERRI DOUBLES THE LEAD!pic.twitter.com/VgPZW9MPeM— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) July 30, 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS – GROUP STAGERound 3TuesdayDom.Republic – Uzbekistan 1-1 (0-0)/Nunez 51 pen – Odilov 58/Spain – Egypt 1-2 (0-1)/Omorodion 90 – Adel 40, 62/Morocco – Iraq 3-0 (3-0)/Richardson 19, Rahimi 28, Ezalzzouli 36/Ukraine – Argentina 0-2 (0-0)/Almada 47, Echeverri 90+1/20:00: (1.42) USA M23 (4.60) Guinea M23 (7.50)20:00: (8.50) N.Zealand M23 (4.90) France M23 (1.37)22:00: (3.25) Israel M23 (3.45) Japan M23 (2.20)22:00: (2.30) Paraguay M23 (3.45) Mali M23 (3.05)***odds are subject to change***
