Spain’s substitute Juanlu Sanchez scored a dramatic late goal to secure the nation’s 2-1 comeback victory over Morocco on Monday, August 5, 2024, propelling them to the final stage of the Olympic men’s football tournament.
Morocco initially took the lead in the semi-final at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille with a penalty from Soufiane Rahimi just before halftime, AFP reports.
However, Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez equalized for Spain midway through the second half and then assisted Sevilla right-back Sanchez, who netted the decisive winner.
This marks Spain’s second consecutive appearance in the Olympic men’s football final, having won silver in Tokyo three years ago after an extra-time loss to Brazil.
Spain, aiming for their second gold medal following their 1992 triumph in Barcelona, will face either hosts – France or Egypt – in the final on Friday, August 9, in Paris.
Despite the loss, Morocco still has a chance to claim their first Olympic medal by winning the bronze medal match, set for Thursday, August 8, 2024, in Nantes.
The North African team, last year’s Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations champions, had an impressive run to the semi-finals and appeared poised for an upset when Rahimi scored in the 37th minute.
