Morocco secured their first-ever Olympic medal in men’s football with a resounding 6-0 triumph over Egypt in the bronze medal match at Paris 2024 on Thursday.
The Atlas Lions, led by the talismanic Soufiane Rahimi, produced a scintillating performance that left the Egyptian side utterly outclassed and their supporters stunned into silence at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
Rahimi, the tournament’s top scorer, added two more goals to his tally, taking his individual haul to a remarkable eight strikes over the course of the Games.
In doing so, he became the first player in Olympic football history to find the net in six consecutive matches.
The North Africans got off to a flying start, with Abde Ezzalzouli opening the scoring in the 23rd minute with a sumptuous curling effort from the edge of the box.
Rahimi then doubled Morocco’s lead just three minutes later, powering home a pinpoint header to put the result beyond doubt.
Egypt’s hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished as the relentless Moroccan onslaught continued after the interval.
Bilal El Khannouss added a third in the 51st minute, drilling a low shot past Hamza Alaa, before Rahimi scored his second to make it 4-0 just after the hour mark.
The Atlas Lions were not content to simply see out the match, however. Akram Nakach got in on the action, tapping home from close range after a selfless square ball from Rahimi, while captain Achraf Hakimi capped the rout with a stunning free-kick that flew into the top corner in the closing stages.
The emphatic victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Morocco, who had been denied a place in the gold medal match after a heartbreaking late defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.
This bronze medal, the nation’s first-ever Olympic football accolade, will be celebrated as a triumph not just for the team, but for the entire African continent.
Rahimi, the tournament’s standout performer, was understandably elated after the match.
“This is a dream come true for us,” he said.
“We promised our people that we would win a medal, and we have delivered. This is a historic moment for Moroccan and African football.”
As the curtain falls on the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, Morocco can bask in the glory of their historic achievement, safe in the knowledge that they have etched their name in the annals of Olympic and African football history.