U.S. men's Olympic team eliminated by Morocco thrashing

Updated: Aug 2, 2024, 04:16 pm
Achraf Hakimi scored Morocco's third goal.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

The United States men's Olympic team was eliminated from the Paris Olympics on Friday when it was roundly beaten 4-0 by Morocco, which progresses to the semifinals.

Morocco started the better of the two teams in front of a crowd that was heavily in its favor, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Patrick Schulte into some good saves early in the match. The breakthrough came when Nathan Harriel gave away a penalty, kicking through Soufiane Rahimi in the box before the No. 9 skillfully slotted the spot kick into the bottom-left corner.

Miles Robinson had the Americans' best chance to reestablish parity in the 59th minute as a cross floated in from the left wing and fell to his feet, only for his shot to slice wide of the post.

Morocco compounded that miss with a second goal just minutes later. Abde Ezzalzouli drove to the byline on the left side of the penalty box before squaring it to Ilias Akhomach, who couldn't miss from close range.

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi added glitz to the result in the 70th minute, the right-back gliding through the U.S.'s hapless defense before placing a shot into the right corner.

Morocco's final goal came in added time as El Mehdi Maouhoub scored another penalty, given for a handball in the box.