On Friday, the United States was eliminated from the Olympic men’s soccer tournament following a 4-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals. Soufiane Rahimi, Ilias Akhomach, Achraf Hakimi, and Mehdi Maouhoub scored for Morocco at Parc des Princes, ending the U.S. team’s medal hopes at the Paris Games.
Morocco, buoyed by strong support in Paris, will compete against the winner of the Japan vs. Spain match in the semifinals in Marseille on Monday. Despite making it to the quarterfinals for the first time since Sydney 2000, the U.S. was outplayed by a Moroccan team that had already defeated Argentina in the group stage.
Rahimi netted a penalty in the 29th minute, with Akhomach adding a second goal in the 63rd minute. Hakimi scored the third with a solo effort in the 70th minute, and Maouhoub, a substitute, completed the scoring with a penalty in stoppage time.
In front of a packed crowd at Paris Saint-Germain’s home ground, Morocco was the more dominant side in the first half but only broke through after Rahimi was awarded a penalty following a foul by Nathan Harriel.
Despite objections from the American players, referee Yael Falcón Pérez awarded a penalty, which Rahimi converted with a low shot to the left, out of reach of Patrick Schulte.
Miles Robinson missed a crucial chance in the 59th minute when he shot wide from close range after a knockdown. This missed opportunity was compounded when Morocco increased their lead four minutes later, with Akhomach scoring from close range after Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross.
Hakimi, who plays for PSG, added the third goal soon after, driving into the box and scoring in the bottom right corner. Morocco sealed a 4-0 victory in stoppage time when Harriel’s handball led to a VAR-reviewed penalty, which Maouhoub converted.
