Argentina, Spain and France made it through to the quarter finals of Olympics 2024 but, while the European sides had a relaxing last round La Albiceleste had work to do.
France and Spain coasted through to the last eight with two wins from their first two games while Argentina lost their opener to Morocco and had to beat Ukraine on Match Day Three to ensure they made the knockout phase… and they delivered to set up a mouth-watering clash against France.
23-year-old attacking midfielder Thiago Almada has already made four appearances for the full Argentina side, and he showed just why as he scored a sensational goal to put Argentina ahead against Ukraine. All three teams in Group B entered the last round on three points so there was plenty of jeopardy in this game and when Almada struck just after the break La Albiceleste began to relax. His goal was a classic as he collected the ball just inside the opposition half and ran with it to within 25 yards before curling a beauty past Ukraine keeper Kiril Fesiun and into the net.
Lionel Messi would have been proud of that!
When 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri popped up to score a second at the start of injury time all nerves were settled and the South Americans were through. Argentina recovered from their opening day loss to the Atlas Lions by beating Iraq 3-1 in their second game and that put their destiny in their own hands when they took on Ukraine, and now this young team is growing in confidence.
So our three SBOTOP picks for the Gold Medal are safely through and, in other Group B Olympics 2024 news, Morocco whacked Iraq 3-0 to book their place in the quarter finals.
Pharaohs take advantage of weakened Roja
23-year-old winger Ibrahim Adel put himself in the shop window with a man-of-the-match performance in the early kick-off as Egypt beat Spain 2-1 to top Group C. With La Roja already through to the knockout phase they made wholesale changes and Egypt took full advantage to win the group.
Five minutes before the half time break Pyramids star Adel opened the scoring when he curled in a beauty from the edge of the penalty area. And Egypt, with La Roja rocking, doubled their lead in the second half when Adel latched onto a weak back pass and clinically slid his shot into the corner. Spain belatedly woke up and Rayo Vallecano star Sergio Camello smashed a shot against the woodwork, and then Samu Ormodion, who spent last season on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid, scored a late header to give La Roja hope. But they couldn’t take advantage of 13 minutes of added time and Egypt took top spot with seven points while Spain finish second on sixth.
Of course Spain recently triumphed at Euro 2024 and the latest Olympics 2024 betting odds reckon they have a strong chance of making it a double and, with key players rested they will be ready to go again in the quarter-finals next week.
In the other Group C match Uzbekistan and the Dominican Republic bowed out of the competition with a 1-1 draw.
Les Bleus coast through
Hosts France made it three wins from three to run away with Group A, and they are joined in the last eight by the USA who saw off Guinea 3-0 to come second.
Thierry Henry’s France faced New Zealand who had a chance of progressing, with a win already under their belt, but any hopes the Kiwi’s had were quickly swept away as Crystal Palace star Jean-Phillipe Mateta gave Les Bleus a first half lead with a beautiful flick. Desire Doue doubled the lead in the second half and Arnaud Kalimuendo made it three and a comprehensive victory.
Meanwhile the Stars and Stripes eased their way through to the last eight, for the first time in 24 years, thanks to a 3-0 win over Guinea in St Etienne. Kevin Paredes scored twice, one in either half and Djordje Mihailovic added a third as USA booked their place in the knockouts with six points.
With Japan already through from Group D, with two wins from two, there is one more place in the quarter finals to take, and Paraguay are favourites to do that when they face Mali in the late Tuesday kick-off.
Quarter Final Fixtures
So we’re on to the Quarter Finals on August the 2nd and this is how it looks like lining up:
Morocco vs USA
France vs Argentina
Spain vs Japan (TBC)
Egypt vs Paraguay (TBC)
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