Paris 2024 football: Morocco's historic run comes to an end with men's semi-final loss to Spain

By Courtney Hill
1 min|
Spain beat Morocco in men's football semi-final at Paris 2024
Picture by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Morocco broke new ground in the men's Olympic football tournament at Paris 2024.

But their journey came to an end Monday, 5 August with a 2-1 loss to Spain.

The North African side had never even made it out of the group stage before Paris, going on to reach the last four.

Soufiane Rahimi had initially fired them ahead in the first half from the spot, holding the Spanish off until just after the hour mark.

Fermin Lopez equalised for Spain before Juanlu Sanchez scored the game-winning goal just minutes from the end.

It brings to a close a campaign that signifies Morocco's emphatic rise in football over the last few years.

The Atlas Lions still have a chance to make even more history for their country at Paris 2024.

On Thursday, 8 August, they will play in the bronze-medal match and, with a victory, could secure their nation's first-ever Olympic football medal.