In a momentous display of footballing prowess, Morocco secured their first-ever Olympic medal in men’s football with a resounding 6-0 victory over Egypt in the bronze medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday.
The emphatic win at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes marks a historic achievement for the Atlas Lions, who have now etched their name in the annals of Olympic and African football history.
Led by the tournament’s top scorer, Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco delivered a performance of sheer dominance that left their Egyptian counterparts shell-shocked and their supporters in stunned silence.
Rahimi, who has been in scintillating form throughout the Games, added two more goals to his tally, taking his total to eight and cementing his place in Olympic football history as the first player to score in six consecutive matches.
The North Africans wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Abde Ezzalzouli opening the scoring in the 23rd minute with a sumptuous curling effort from the edge of the box.
Just three minutes later, Rahimi doubled Morocco’s lead, powering home a pinpoint header that effectively put the contest beyond doubt.
Any hopes of an Egyptian comeback were swiftly extinguished in the second half as Morocco continued their relentless assault. Bilal El Khannouss made it 3-0 in the 51st minute with a low-driven shot that left goalkeeper Hamza Alaa with no chance.
Rahimi then scored his second of the match just after the hour mark, further demoralizing the Egyptian side.
Morocco’s hunger for goals did not wane as Akram Nakach added a fifth, tapping home from close range following a selfless assist from Rahimi.
The icing on the cake came in the closing stages when captain Achraf Hakimi delivered a stunning free-kick that soared into the top corner, sealing the 6-0 rout.
The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for the Atlas Lions, who had been denied a place in the gold medal match following a heartbreaking late defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the final, Morocco’s bronze medal represents a triumph not only for the team but for the entire African continent.
After the match, an elated Rahimi spoke of the significance of the achievement. “This is a dream come true for us,” he said.
“We promised our people that we would win a medal, and we have delivered. This is a historic moment for Moroccan and African football.”
As the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament draws to a close, Morocco can celebrate their historic bronze medal, a symbol of their remarkable journey and a testament to their growing stature in the world of football.
Source: CAF Online
