France edge Argentina as Spain also through to semi-finals

France edged nearer to the 2024 Summer time Olympics closing after beating Argentina 1-0 in a tense final-four bout.

They’ll face Egypt, who snuck previous Paraguay on penalties following a 1-1 attract common time.

Les Bleus and the Pharaohs will meet on Monday night time for the prospect to compete for the gold medal.

Elsewhere, Spain will face Morocco within the different semi-final.

La Roja cruised previous Japan, beating them 3-0 in Lyon, whereas Morocco smashed the USA, profitable 4-0 and reserving their place within the closing 4 for the primary time.

Morocco vs USA: Whole dominance

Morocco took the initiative in opposition to the USA and had the beating of them from the primary minute.

Soufiane Rahimi was the primary on the scoresheet at Parc des Princes, scoring his fifth aim of the match within the first half.

Ilias Akhomach was additionally in on the motion, ending from shut vary earlier than captain Achraf Hakimi made it three.

Mehdi Maouhoub got here off the bench to spherical issues off with Morocco’s second penalty of the sport and it was an ideal night from Hakimi’s facet ultimately.

Talking after the match, he mentioned: “I felt like I used to be enjoying at residence on this stadium the place I play for my membership, but in addition as a result of our followers have been very loud and have been right here in huge numbers.

“Followers have been following us all match, I hope they’ll comply with us all the best way to the ultimate. We need to make them proud.”

Spain vs Japan: Vamos La Roja

🫂 𝐴 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑!

🎉 The semi-finals of an Olympic Video games are one thing to rejoice in type!

Pleasure within the locker room for this step nearer to the medals 🥉🥈🥇 #UnSueñoCompartido | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/yaSUcohjBR

— Spanish Soccer (@SpainIsFootball) August 2, 2024

Fermin Lopez scored twice within the 3-0 win having contributed to his nation’s Euro 2024 victory final month.

The Barcelona midfielder scored early on earlier than including a second simply after half-time.

Mao Hosoya hit the submit for Japan and had an effort dominated out for offside, which in the end price them as Abel Ruiz put the sport to mattress late on with a simple tap-in.

All eyes now flip to Marseille on Monday as Spain and Morocco kick-off the semi-finals.

Egypt vs Paraguay: Pharaohs by means of

It was not simple for Egypt, however they obtained the job achieved in opposition to Paraguay.

The match completed 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Diego Gomez giving Paraguay the lead quarter-hour from time earlier than a last-gasp equaliser from Adel Ibrahim took proceedings to extra-time.

And it could be Adel who scored the profitable penalty for his nation after Marcelo Perez had his effort saved.

Egypt gained 5-4 on penalties and might want to regroup if they’re to problem France for a spot within the closing.

France vs Argentina: Allez Les Bleus

The eagerly anticipated match between France and Argentina didn’t dwell as much as the leisure issue many have been hoping for, however it was a really tense match.

𝐖𝐄’𝐕𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐓 🇫🇷🙌

It’s a 1-0 win over Argentina for Les Bleus, who’re by means of to the 𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒 🤩🔥#FRAARG | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/C5njvwHwSN

— French Staff ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) August 2, 2024

Followers contained in the stadium booed because the Argentina nationwide anthem was performed following latest animosity between the 2 groups and it could be the hosts who would have the sting.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta netted the one aim of the sport and it got here within the fifth minute when he headed residence from ex-Palace team-mate Michael Olise’s nook.

The hosts additionally had a aim dominated out late on and tensions boiled over at full-time, with a number of gamers confronting one another on the pitch.