Olympic Showdown: Argentina U23 and Morocco U23 Set to Clash in Group B Opener
The Olympic men’s football tournament kicks off with an intriguing matchup as Argentina U23 faces Morocco U23 in their Group B opener at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. Both teams enter the competition with high hopes and talented squads, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
Argentina, two-time Olympic gold medalists, arrive as one of the favorites to claim the top prize. Led by former national team star Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste boast a mix of youth and experience. Their squad features several players who have already made their mark on the senior level, including Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and Benfica’s Nicolas Otamendi.
Morocco, on the other hand, is making its first Olympic appearance since 2012. The Atlas Lions qualified by winning the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations and will be eager to prove themselves on the global stage. PSG star Achraf Hakimi headlines a talented roster that combines domestic-based players with those plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues.
Lineups Injury and Team News
Argentina’s likely starting XI: Leandro Brey, Santiago Castro, Valentin Barco, Cristian Medina, Nicolas Valentini, Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, Gonzalo Lujan, Marco Di Cesare, Luciano Gondou, Juan Sforza
Morocco’s probable lineup: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Benjamin Bouchouari, Youssuf Lekhedim, Chadi Riad, Ayman El Wafi, Oussama Targhalline, Alaa Bellaarouch, Abde Ezzalzouli, Yanis Begraoui, Abdel Abqar, Achraf Hakimi.
Both teams have reported no major injury concerns heading into the match.
Where to Watch
Viewers in the United States can catch the action on USA Network, Telemundo, and Peacock. Check your local listings for broadcast information in other countries.
Form and Recent Results
Argentina comes into the tournament unbeaten in their last seven matches, including a notable 1-0 victory over Brazil in February. Their most recent outing, however, ended in a surprising 1-0 defeat to Guinea in a friendly.
Morocco’s recent form has been mixed. They’ve won two, drawn one, and lost two of their last five matches. Their last competitive fixture saw them defeat Egypt 2-1 in the U23 AFCON final.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Argentina U23 and Morocco U23 at the Olympic level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Standings
As this is the opening match of Group B, both teams currently sit level on zero points. Ukraine and Iraq make up the rest of the group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Prediction-Who Will Win
Given Argentina’s pedigree and the strength of their squad, they enter as slight favorites. However, Morocco’s recent success at the U23 level and the presence of established stars like Hakimi make them a dangerous opponent.
Expect a closely contested affair with moments of individual brilliance potentially deciding the outcome. Argentina’s attacking firepower may prove too much for Morocco to handle over 90 minutes.
Predicted score: Argentina U23 2-1 Morocco U23
As the Olympic football tournament gets underway, all eyes will be on Saint-Etienne to see which of these talented young teams can stake an early claim in Group B. With gold medal aspirations on the line, fans can anticipate a thrilling encounter between two nations eager to make their mark on the global stage.
Also Read:
Paris Olympic Games 2024, Men’s Football: Schedule, Players, Format, Teams, Where To Watch
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