Argentina reached the quarter-finals on Tuesday afternoon, justifying their place in the last eight with strong second-half performances from Simeone and Almada, while the introduction of Zenon and Echeverry gave Javier Mascherano's side a new lease of life.

The Albiceleste's 2-0won, courtesy of goals from Almada and Echeverry, was not enough to see them top the group, as Morocco beat Iraq 3-0 to finish top of the group.

In Nice, the North Africans ran out 3-0 winners in the first 36 minutes of the first half. Goals from Amir Richardson, Sofiane Rahimi and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli saw the Atlas Cubs top the group on goal difference.

Argentina struggled throughout the group stage and their final game was no exception. Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi, who spent five years at Manchester City, made no secret of his feelings after the match: "In a competition like this, sometimes you have to suffer, not having the ball, but the important thing is to overcome it. It's difficult in forty-degree heat, but we did it and we've moved on."

Morocco's big win over Argentina means the North Africans will avoid France, while Argentina will face a formidable opponent in the hosts, who topped Group A with a perfect 3-0 win over New Zealand.

France face Mascherano's side, who boast four World Cup winners in their ranks, in Bordeaux on Friday at 21:00 CEST: Gerónimo Rulli, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás Otamendi and Thiago Almada.

The hosts put on a show of footballing prowess to overcome the Oceanians in a match played at the Velodrome in Marseille, with goals from Mateta, Due and Kalimuendo.

The match between the South Americans and the Europeans will be one of the most closely watched in the men's Olympic football after Argentina's penalty shootout victory in the last World Cup final and the hostility of the French fans towards the Argentinians at Paris 2024. That hostility stems from that defeat and the chants made by Enzo Fernandez last month, which were deemed racist by the French despite being a culturally common joke in Argentina, and for which the Chelsea midfielder has apologised.

As for the match against France, the Velez Sarsfield-born captain, who played a key role in the team's victory at Qatar 2022, did not shy away from the questions posed by Tyc Sports on the sidelines: "France is like any other team. I know there's a rivalry because of the last World Cup and everything that's going on, but we don't care about that. Whoever we play, we have to have a winning mentality. That's what I'm instilling in the lads. It doesn't matter who we play, we have to beat everyone, whether it's France or anyone else.

Morocco will face the runners-up in the group headed by France at the Parc des Princes in Parison on Friday 2 August at 15:00 CEST. Their opponents will be the United States, who beat Guinea 3-0 with a brace from Paredes and a goal from Mihailovic.

Earlier, Egypt stunned Spain with a 2-1 win to take top spot in Group C at Paris 2024. The Iberians' defence let them down, allowing the Africans to take 7 points from three games when they return to Bordeaux on Tuesday.

The Pharaohs' victory also ended the hopes of debutants Dominican Republic, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Uzbekistan in a simultaneous match in Paris.

Spanish coach Santi Denia's decision to rest his starting line-up with qualification already secured did not pay off. Egypt's Adel scored a brace to secure victory, while Omorodion grabbed a consolation with a last-minute header.

Spain will now take on Japan on Friday at 17:00 CEST, the latter having topped Group D with a deserved 1-0 win over Israel in a calm match despite the pro-Palestinian chants that could be heard in the stadium against the Israelis.

Elsewhere in Japan's group, Paraguay booked their place in the quarter-finals at Paris 2024 with a 1-0 win over Mali thanks to a Marcelo Fernández goal on the stroke of half-time.

The South Americans will face Egypt in the quarter-finals, a return to this stage for the first time in 20 years. They took silver at Athens 2004 after losing in the final to Argentina, who won the first of the Albiceleste's two Olympic gold medals.

Olympic Champions Table:

Hungary / Great Britain: 3 gold medals

Argentina / Brazil / Uruguay / Soviet Union: 2 golds

Spain / Yugoslavia / Poland / Germany / Nigeria / Sweden / France / Czechoslovakia / Italy / Belgium / Canada / Mexico / Cameroon: 1 gold

Facing Paraguay next! Ready to fight for a spot in the semis! 👊#egyptnt pic.twitter.com/CGaZ2u2YCh

— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) July 30, 2024