PARIS — Morocco reached the Olympic men’s soccer semifinals for the first time with a resounding 4-0 win over the United States at the Parc des Princes on Friday.
Morocco used two penalties and dominated from the start to prevail in its first-ever Olympic knockout match. The victory sets up a clash with the winners of the Spain-Japan quarterfinal being played later on Friday.
The U.S. bowed out of its first Olympic quarterfinal in 24 years with only one shot on goal in the match.
Backed by its passionate supporters who packed the Paris St Germain stadium, Morocco opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Soufiane Rahimi earned a penalty and converted for his fifth goal of the tournament.
Ilias Akhomach doubled Morocco’s lead with a close-range finish from Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross in a brilliant team move just past the hour mark. PSG’s Achraf Hakimi got on the scoresheet after a fine solo run to make it 3-0 20 minutes from time.
Substitute Mehdi Maouhoub sealed the rout with another penalty in stoppage time following a VAR review for a handball.
–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media
