Morocco’s Olympic Soccer Team Advances to Quarter-Finals with 3-0 Victory over Iraq

"The team fought on the field, and we surpassed Iraq, despite the difficulty of the mission," Sektioui told the press after the victory over Iraq (3-0) in Nice. And he added: "Alhamdoulillah for this victory and this qualification, these young people have a great love for the homeland, they have succeeded in making the Moroccan people happy."

The defeat against Ukraine (1-2) in the second group stage match allowed the technical staff to reorganize the team and win the decisive match against Iraq, said the Moroccan coach who now has his sights set on the quarter-finals. "We will focus on the preparation before facing the United States and our ambition has no limits in this competition."

Sektioui said he is particularly proud of this historic qualification "because since 1974, Morocco had not qualified for the quarter-finals, but with this golden generation, we will continue to dream."

With their victory over Iraq (3-0), the Atlas Lions finished first in Group B with 6 points, tied with Argentina, second. Achraf Hakimi and his teammates will face the American team on Friday, August 2 at the Parc des Princes, in the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm (Moroccan time).