Spain - Morocco

Spain, the gold medalists from the 1992 Barcelona Games, were hoping to mirror their recent Euro 2024 success. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, who netted twice in the quarter-final against Japan, has been a standout performer. Pau Cubarsi, who has been formidable at the back for his nation, is expected to retain his place. 

Morocco broke new ground in the men's Olympic football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by reaching the semi-finals but their journey sadly came to an end Monday, 5 August with a 2-1 loss to Spain.

The North African side had never even made it out of the group stage before Paris, going on to reach the last four. Soufiane Rahimi had initially fired them ahead in the first half from the spot, holding the Spanish off until just after the hour mark. Fermin Lopez equalised for Spain before Juanlu Sanchez scored the game-winning goal just minutes from the end.

It brings to a close a campaign that signifies Morocco's emphatic rise in football over the last few years. The Atlas Lions still have a chance to make even more history for their country in Paris. On Thursday, 8 August, they will play in the bronze-medal match against Egypt meaning that they could still secure their nation's first-ever Olympic football medal.

Meanwhile, even with the loss, Morocco had impressed by topping their group and delivering a dominant 4-0 victory over the United States. Morocco’s squad, featuring players familiar with Spain such as Achraf Hakimi and Ilias Akhomach, was determined to make an impact. “We deserve to be in the semi-finals and if we keep playing like this we will deserve to be in the final,” said Akhomach last week.

“France and Spain are better-sounding names given what they have done before. Morocco has not won anything. It is true that other countries might be talked about more than us but we know what we want. We came here to win", he said before the match.

France - Egypt

France equalised late on in the semi-final. Facing a shock elimination at the hands of Egypt in the men's football semi-final, hosts France equalised in the 83rd minute through Jean-Philippe Mateta, with a 1-1 that headed for extra time and some drama in the fifth added minute of stoppage time, with a VAR review for a possible penalty for handball against Omar Fayed. The ref had been sent to the monitor to have a look, and Omar Fayed had been booked for dissent. His argument was he was pushed, but his arms were in the air. In the end, the decision was "No penalty".

Later, France became ahead with that man again, Jean-Philippe Mateta. Michael Olise delivered a cross, Kiliann Sildillia knocked the ball on in the air with his head, and Mateta was on hand to head it into the net to put France into the lead 2-1, just some minutes before Olise made it 3-1 for the win.

Before this match, Les Bleus secured three wins in the group stage and narrowly advanced past Argentina 1-0 in the quarter-finals, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the crucial goal in Bordeaux. The match was marred by post-game altercations, but France's defensive prowess remains intact.

Legendary French player and current coach Thierry Henry has drawn a comparison between his team and the 1990s French handball squad, known as "The Nutters." “I call my players the crazy guys, in a good way,” Henry said. “The Olympics are different.”

Although Kylian Mbappe was absent, France's squad remained robust with key players such as Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise. Henry needed to adjust his lineup due to Enzo Millot’s red card and Manu Kone’s suspension, as France sought a spot in the final at Parc des Princes.

Egypt, who were aiming for their first Olympic football medal, have made an impressive run by topping their group and defeating Paraguay in the quarter-finals. Under the guidance of Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale, who led his country to gold at Rio 2016, and was captained by former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, Egypt had a surprising journey.