Spain advances to quarter-finals as Argentina claims 1st victory in Olympic men’s football
Argentina rebounded from a chaotic start to their Olympic campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Iraq, while Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals of the men’s football tournament.
Argentina’s Revival
Two-time Olympic champions Argentina, who had endured a tumultuous beginning with a 2-1 defeat to Morocco marred by crowd trouble, registered their first points of the tournament at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Despite an early setback when Iraq’s captain Aymen Hussein equalized, Argentina’s offensive prowess shone through.
Thiago Almada put Argentina ahead with a precise shot after Julian Alvarez’s assist.
Luciano Gondou, making an impact shortly after coming on, headed in the second goal, and Ezequiel Fernandez sealed the win with a stunning long-range strike.
Javier Mascherano, Argentina’s coach, emphasized the need to focus on football and move past the earlier disruptions. “We need to look forward and focus on what we can control, which is playing football,” he said.
Ukraine Stuns Morocco
In another Group B clash, Ukraine clinched a dramatic 2-1 win over Morocco. After Dmytro Kryskiv initially gave Ukraine the lead, Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi equalized with a penalty following a red card for Volodymyr Saliuk.
However, Ukraine grabbed a late winner in the 98th minute when Oleh Fedor’s assist allowed Ihor Krasnopir to score.
With the results in Group B, all four teams – Argentina, Ukraine, Morocco, and Iraq – are tied on three points, making the final round of matches critical for advancing.
Spain Secures Quarter-Final Spot
Spain’s path to the quarter-finals was secured with a 3-1 victory over the Dominican Republic in Group C. Fermin Lopez’s first-half goal, followed by a second-half brace from Alex Baena and Miguel Gutierrez, ensured Spain’s progression.
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The Dominican Republic’s hopes were dampened by a red card for captain Edison Azcona just before halftime.
Spain’s advancement was confirmed after Egypt’s 1-0 win over Uzbekistan, with Ahmed Koka scoring the decisive goal.
Other Group Highlights
In Group A, the United States dominated New Zealand with a 4-1 win, while hosts France are set to chase their second win against Guinea. Paraguay also made headlines with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Israel, scoring twice in stoppage time.
As the tournament progresses, the intensity is set to rise with critical matches determining the final teams to advance in this Olympic football showcase.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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