Egypt defeated Spain 2-1 in their final Group C match of the Men’s Olympic Football tournament, securing the top spot and a coveted place in the quarter-finals.
The match, held at the Matmut Atlantique stadium on Tuesday afternoon, saw the Egyptian team overturn early Spanish dominance to achieve a victory that few had predicted.
Spain, already qualified for the knockout stages and boasting a perfect record coming into the game, found themselves outmaneuvered by a resolute Egyptian side. The match began with Spain asserting their control, but Egypt’s tenacity and tactical discipline soon turned the tide.
The breakthrough for Egypt came just before half-time. Zizo, with a brilliant surging run down the right flank, delivered a perfect setup for Ibrahim Adel.
Adel, who had been a standout performer in Egypt’s U-23 AFCON campaign, curled a magnificent shot past the Spanish goalkeeper from the edge of the area, sending the Egyptian fans into raptures.
Egypt’s confidence only grew in the second half. In the 59th minute, Adel once again proved his mettle.
Capitalizing on a defensive error by Jon Pacheco, he slotted home coolly to double Egypt’s lead and secure his brace. The Egyptian team, buoyed by their star player’s performance, tightened their grip on the match.
Spain, determined to respond, pushed forward relentlessly. Their efforts were partially rewarded in the 90th minute when Samu Omorodion found the back of the net. However, the late goal proved to be merely a consolation, as Egypt held firm to their lead.
The final whistle confirmed Egypt’s place at the top of Group C with seven points, leapfrogging Spain, who ended the group stage in second place with six points.
Both teams progress to the quarter-finals, while the Dominican Republic’s Olympic journey came to an end following their 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Egypt, showcasing their potential to be serious contenders in the tournament. With their eyes set on further success, the Egyptian team will be looking to carry this momentum into the knockout stages.
As they prepare for the quarter-finals, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if Egypt can continue their impressive run in the Paris Olympics.
