Olympic Soccer: Spain Edges Morocco 2-1 in Tense Rematch of World Cup Clash

An explosive match was expected, and it did not disappoint. The semi-final between Morocco and Spain at the Paris Olympic Games revealed all its secrets. The Spanish team emerged victorious (2-1) from this confrontation. A victory that sounds like a revenge for Spain, eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The tension was palpable during this match and the Moroccans had not missed any opportunity to provoke the Spaniards, comments El Debate, recalling as an example the controversial gesture of Achraf Hakimi who imitated a penguin to celebrate a decisive goal scored on a penalty. A celebration considered as a mockery by the Spaniards.

The Olympic tournament semi-final, played on Monday at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, was also very tense. Witness the chants of the thousands of Moroccan supporters against the Spanish team and the failed altercation in the 36th minute of play, between Achraf Hakimi and Arnau Tenas (also his teammate at PSG), after a foul by Pablo Barrios.

A penalty converted by Soufiane Rahimi who celebrated this goal in front of the Spanish goalkeeper, a gesture considered unsportsmanlike and contrary to the values of the Olympic Games. Speaking about the incident with Hakimi, Tenas said: "These are things that happen on the pitch, nothing more. I have a very good relationship with him this year at PSG."