00:00The promising journey of the U.S. Olympic men's soccer team at the 2020 for Summer Games
00:06came to an end with a heartbreaking 4-0 defeat against Morocco in the quarterfinals at Parc
00:12des Princes.
00:14After securing their first appearance since 2008, the team notched two group stage victories
00:20and advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in 24 years.
00:25However, Morocco's recent footballing resurgence, highlighted by 2020 World Cup standout and
00:31Paris Saint-Germain defender Akraf Hakimi, proved too much for the Americans.
00:38Morocco dominated the first half, with Soufiane Rahimi scoring a penalty kick to take the
00:43lead.
00:45Despite a stronger start in the second half, the U.S. couldn't contain Morocco's offensive
00:50prowess.
00:52Losses by Ilyas Akhamach and Hakimi dashed any comeback hopes, and a stoppage time penalty
00:58by El-Medi Mouhaoub sealed the fate.
01:02The loss saw Morocco make history by advancing to their first Olympic semifinal, setting
01:07up a clash against either Spain or Japan.
01:11For head coach Marco Mitrovi and his squad, the campaign ended with a record of two wins,
01:16two losses, and no draws.
01:20Despite the loss, the team achieved a significant milestone by winning two games in an Olympic
01:25tournament for the first time.
01:28Mitrovi made just one change from the previous game against Guinea, introducing Jack McGlynn
01:34in place of the injured Gianluca Bassio.
01:37The lineup faced a spirited Moroccan crowd in an electric atmosphere.
01:43Morocco's squad, featuring several players familiar with French football including Hakimi,
01:49utilized their chemistry to create early chances and maintain pressure.
01:54The decisive first goal came when Nathan Hariel fouled Rahimi in the penalty area, setting
02:00up Rahimi's fifth goal of the tournament.
02:04Morocco's second and third goals unfolded with precision as Ilyas Akhamach and Hakimi
02:10capitalized on the U.S. defense's gaps.
02:14Although the Americans showed renewed energy in the second half, their efforts fell short
02:19against Morocco's tactical approach.
02:22The match stats reflected the Americans' struggle, with Morocco taking 15 shots compared
02:28to the U.S.E.'s 9, 8 of which were on target.
Commentaires