Olympics 2024. Ten-man Ukraine snatches victory over Morocco
Today, July 27, Ukraine's Olympic football team played their second match of the 2024 Summer Games.
In Saint-Étienne, Ruslan Rotan's squad faced off against Morocco. The Blue and Yellows had surprisingly lost their opening game against Iraq (1:2), while the Atlas Lions had secured a win over Argentina (2:1).
Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev
The match began cautiously, with both teams gradually creating challenges for the defenders. Although his shots lacked accuracy, Hakimi was active for Morocco, while Ukraine's Khlan was the first to register a shot on target from a tight angle.
In the 22nd minute, Ukraine took the lead — Bragaru outplayed his opponent and crossed for Kryskiv to finish. Shortly after, the Blue and Yellows almost doubled their advantage, but the goalkeeper saved Khlan's shot from a Bragaru pass. Before the break, both teams exchanged attacks, but neither managed a decisive shot.
Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev
The second half began with inaccurate attempts from Raïmi and Hakimi. El-Hannous tested Fesyun from a distance and again from a good position but missed both times. During one sequence, Ukraine's keeper saved attempts from Richardson and Raïmi. However, the pressure proved too much, and Salyuk fouled Raïmi in the box, earning a red card. Raïmi converted the penalty to equalize.
Despite being a man down, Ukraine created a good chance when Khlan set up Krasnopir, but the latter couldn't beat the goalkeeper. Khlan also missed a free kick shortly after. Morocco then pressed hard, with notable attempts from Ezzalzouli, El-Hannous, and Hakimi.
Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev
Ukraine countered with a Krasnopir shot that was deflected to the goalkeeper. The Blue and Yellows focused on defense as the game ended. In added time, Fesyun made a crucial save against Mawhub.
However, Morocco's relentless attack left them vulnerable. In the 8th minute of added time, Ukraine unexpectedly scored again through a combination of Rubchynskyi, Fedor, and Krasnopir. Thus, Ukraine secured a historic victory at the Olympics despite being a man down.
Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev
Now, all teams in Group B have three points. Ruslan Rotan's side will play their decisive match against Argentina on July 30.
Olympics 2024. Men's Football Tournament. Group B
Ukraine - Morocco - 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: Kryskiv (22), Krasnopir (90+8) — Raïmi (64, pen).
Ukraine: Fesyun, Krupskyi, Martynyuk (Sych, 74), Rubchynskyi, Mykhailenko (Fedor, 78), Bragaru (Ocheretko, 65), Khlan, Salyuk, Sikan (c) (Krasnopir, 65), Batagov, Kryskiv (Talovierov, 65).
Substitutes: Yermakov, Veleten.
Coach: Ruslan Rotan.
Morocco: Mohamedi, Hakimi (c), Boukamir (Keshta, 74), Ben Seghir (Akhomach, 87), El-Hannous, Raïmi (Mawhub, 87), El-Wadi, Targalline, Ezzalzouli, El-Azzouzi (Nakach, 87), Richardson.
Substitutes: Ghanimi, Tahif, Boushari.
Coach: Tarik Sektioui.
Referee: Said Martinez (Honduras).
Booked: Sikan (34), Khlan (52), Rubchynskyi (72), Krupskyi (79), Rotan (81, off the pitch), Sych (90) — Richardson (37), Hakimi (71).
Sent off: Salyuk (63, Ukraine).
July 27. Saint-Étienne. Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Argentina - Iraq - 3:1 (1:1)
Standings
|
|
Team |
M |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
P |
|
1 |
Argentina |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4—3 |
3 |
|
2 |
Ukraine |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3—3 |
3 |
|
3 |
Morocco |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3—3 |
3 |
|
4 |
Iraq |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3—4 |
3 |
July 30, 2024
Ukraine vs Argentina (18:00, Lyon)
Morocco vs Iraq (18:00, Nice)
All match times are in Kyiv time.
The two top teams from Group B advance to face representatives from Group A.
2024 Olympics. Men's Football Tournament
Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand.
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine.
Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic.
Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel.
The format of the Olympic tournament remains traditional: battling in four groups of four teams, with the top two advancing to the playoffs, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, the match for third place, and the final (August 9th, Paris, Parc des Princes).
It's worth recalling that last summer, by defeating France (3:1) in the quarterfinal match of the 2023 Euro (U-21) and securing a spot in the semifinals, our team achieved a historic success, earning the country the right to participate in the football tournament at the Olympics for the first time. Alongside Ukraine, Spain and Israel also obtained licenses for the 2024 Summer Games in this discipline through the 2023 U-21 Euro.
Participants in the men's football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games will compete from July 24th to August 9th in seven cities in France: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Nantes. According to the regulations, players born after January 1, 2001, are eligible to participate. Additionally, each team can include three players older than this age.
In total, 16 national teams will participate in the tournament: France as the host, three teams representing Europe (Ukraine, Spain, Israel), three from Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Mali), three from Asia (Japan, Uzbekistan, Iraq), two from South America (Paraguay, Argentina), two from the CONCACAF region (USA, Dominican Republic), one from Oceania (New Zealand), and the winner of the intercontinental play-off (Guinea).
Oleh Fedor: "It's a shame we couldn't deliver the fans a victory"
Ukraine Olympic team midfielder Oleh Fedor shared his thoughts on the...
Danylo Sikan: "It was our first Olympic appearance, hopefully not the last"
Forward of the Ukraine Olympic team, Danylo Sikan commented on the foo...
Ruslan Rotan: "Proud of the boys, they can compete with top teams"
On July 30, the Ukraine Olympic team played their third group stage ma...
Olympics 2024: Ukraine's football campaign ends with defeat to Argentina
Today, on July 30, the Ukraine Olympic team played their third match i...