North African duo battle it out for bronze

The first medals of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 will be handed out on Thursday, as Egypt and Morocco go head-to-head in search of their first-ever podium places at the event.

Both North African powerhouses have caught the eye at the Games. Egypt, led by Rio 2016 gold medal-winning coach Rogerio Micale, sunk Spain in the first round en route to a quarter-final shootout win over Paraguay, before being edged by hosts France after extra time in the semis. Morocco, for their part, defeated world champions Argentina in the group phase and hit four past USA in the last eight, before a late Spain comeback put paid to their gold medal ambitions.

Both nations will be keen to join Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon in reaching the podium, while cementing themselves as the pride of Africa in what is sure to be an intriguing tussle.

Egypt v Morocco
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Kick-off: 17:00 (kick-off in local time)

Facts and figures
This will be Egypt’s third time contesting the bronze medal match. They were defeated 11-3 by Italy at Amsterdam 1928, before losing 3-1 to Germany FR at Tokyo 1964.

Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi will become the first player to score in six consecutive Olympic matches if he finds the net against Egypt.

Quotes
“It will be very difficult for us [against Morocco]. But we have to get over it and try to win because that would be a very important medal. It would be a huge joy for me to win another medal for another country. First the gold medal with Brazil [at Rio 2016], and now a bronze with Egypt. It would be a pride and we will fight to win it.”
Rogerio Micale, Egypt coach

“We were highly motivated to play in the final, but fate intervened. Because of small details, we lost the game, but we must switch [our mentality] quickly, because we have a game soon and we have a medal to win.”
Tarik Sektioui, Morocco coach

Team stats
Egypt
Top scorer
Ibrahim Adel (3)

Most assists
Zizo (2)

Most attempts on goal
Ibrahim Adel (14)

Most passes
Hossam Abdelmaguid (270)

Morocco
Top scorer
Soufiane Rahimi (6)

Most assists
Bilal El Khannouss (2)

Most attempts on goal
Ilias Akhomach (15)

Most passes
Oussama Targhalline (372)

Road to the bronze medal match
Egypt
Group stage

Egypt 0-0 Dominican Republic
Uzbekistan 0-1 Egypt
Spain 1-2 Egypt

Quarter-final

Egypt 1-1 Paraguay (PSO 5-4)

Semi-final

France 3-1 Egypt

Morocco
Group stage

Argentina 1-2 Morocco
Ukraine 2-1 Morocco
Morocco 3-0 Iraq

Quarter-final

Morocco 4-0 USA

Semi-final

Morocco 1-2 Spain

Olympics history
Egypt
Appearances: 8 (Tokyo 1964, Munich 1972, Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012, Paris 2024)

Best result: Semi-final (Paris 2024)

Morocco
Previous participations: 8 (Tokyo 1964, Munich 1972, Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012, Paris 2024)

Best result: Semi-final (Paris 2024)