Morocco has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics football tournament following a decisive 3-0 victory over Iraq, on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes Stadium.
Following their stellar performance, the Atlas Cubs have qualified for the Round of 16 at the top of Group B with six points.
The Atlas Cubs started the match on a strong note, applying heavy pressure on their opponent.
By the 3rd minute, Morocco had already displayed their attacking intent, edging close to scoring the first goal.
Iraq struggled to hold their defenses against Morocco’s relentless pressure and were pushed deep into their defensive zone.
By the 6th minute, Iraq was visibly suffering from the Moroccan onslaught. Morocco’s aggressive tactics paid off in the 19th minute when a brilliant header from Amir Richardson opened the scoring, giving them a well-deserved lead.
This early goal set the tone for the rest of the first half, as Morocco continued to dominate the game with solid play and tactics.
The Atlas Lions continued to dominate possession, paving the way for a second goal by Morocco’s star player Soufiane Rahimi in the 28th minute.
Minutes before the end of the first half, Abde Ezzalzouli found the back of the net, cementing his team’s victory.
Throughout the second half, Iraq failed to break through Morocco’s impenetrable defense despite several attempts, ultimately succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan side persisted in their attempts to score, with Ilias Akhomach almost finding the back of the net in the 50th minute.