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PARIS: Tokyo Olympics silver medallists Spain will face Morocco on Monday, aiming to reach a second straight Olympic men’s football final and avenge their loss to the African side in the World Cup last 16 two years ago.
Morocco beat the United States 4-0 in Paris to reach its first Olympic semifinal, while Spain easily beat Japan 3-0 in Lyon in the quarterfinals on Friday. Spain lost 2-1 to Brazil in extra time in the Tokyo Olympic final.
Led by captain Achraf Hakimi and tournament top scorer Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco scored five goals to beat Argentina 2-1 in a chaotic Group B opener and followed that up with a 3-0 win over Iraq, with only a 2-1 loss to Ukraine in between.
Likewise, Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 and the Dominican Republic 3-1 before losing 2-1 to Group C winners Egypt to finish second.
Although the match in Marseille is a game for the under-23 side, Spanish media said it was a perfect opportunity to avenge their World Cup penalty shootout defeat, while Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi believes it is another chance to show the national team’s progress.
“The World Cup opened doors for us and we knew that Moroccan football was growing,” Hakimi, 25, said after his side won the quarter-final, speaking of their run to the semi-finals at the World Cup.
“We have to prove to the young guys that we can compete with the heavyweights.”
It will be a meeting of familiar faces, with PSG team-mates Hakimi and goalkeeper Arnaud Ternus, Villarreal’s Elias Ahomach and Alex Baena, and Real Betis’ Abdul Ezarzuli and recent Bologna signing Juan Miranda all set to meet on the pitch.
“Before the Olympics, I met ‘Haki’ and I told him: ‘Spain is going to play Morocco and we are going to win,’ ” Turners said.
“Haki is my friend. He is one of the best players in the world. We will see.”
In the other semi-final, hosts France will face Egypt in Lyon as they seek their first gold medal in 40 years.
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