The women’s teams might have taken center stage so far in the Olympics group stages due to the high score lines and huge upsets — like seeing Australia out of the tournament and the Canadian Teen caught spying on their opponents — but the men’s soccer is just as thrilling. The men’s Olympics is a huge platform for players from around the world to showcase their skills, increase their value on the transfer market, and win a medal for their country.
So, which teams are on to the next stages of the Olympics? What players should you keep an eye on? Keep reading to see the details on the knockout stages beginning tomorrow in France.
Knockout Stages for Olympics Men’s Soccer
Morocco faces off against the U.S.A men’s team at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on Friday, August 2nd at 3 pm, CET. Some players to watch in the game include El Azzouzi and Bouchouari for Morocco, along with Paredes, Yow, and Dietz for the US team. The US pulled a huge upset during the group stages that saw the men’s team go through to the quarterfinals, to everyone’s surprise.
The next game is Japan vs. Spain match at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France, at 5 pm CET the same Friday. Some of the best men’s soccer players in the world are on the Spanish national team, including Pedri, Lamine Yamal (the young sensation), Laporte (the Al Nassr defender), Cucurella (the Chelsea fullback), Olmo (the midfielder for the Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig), and Alvaro Morata, the captain who plays for AC Milan.
The next Olympics men’s soccer match to tune into is the same night, featuring Egypt face off against Paraguay at the Orange Velodrome at 7pm CET in Marseille, France. Based on the current form of either team, it seems that Egypt will be able to come out the victors, as they have won three of their last four matches.
The final quarter final game for the Olympics men’s soccer competition is France vs. Argentina at Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux, France, at 9pm CET on Friday. This is arguably the biggest quarterfinal game, as it has Argentina, featuring Alvarez and Medina, and France, the hosts, featuring Lacazette, Olise, and Chotard.
France vs. Argentina
The game to watch for the quarterfinals is definitely the hosts facing off against Messi’s old side, Argentina. France have been exceptional so far this tournament, showing why they are among the best in the world year after year. Even without Mbappe, they have been able to score goals and limit the opposing team to very few chances during the 90 minutes.
In the Olympics so far, they have been dominant in attack. Young players like Olise, the Crystal Palace winger, have shown why they deserve to be called up to the national team. Furthermore, veterans like Lacazette who play for Lyon, have demonstrated why they should be called up even in their mature years.
Despite France playing extremely well, Argentina has fared well also. Plus, just because France is the home country, it doesn’t mean that Argentina will come out slow. France has only scored seven goals so far in the Olympics, where’s the opposing team has scored six. That is about as close as it can get.
When ti came to watching the Olympic and men’s soccer, this is one of the most exciting games that will happen the entire competition. France has had five different goal-scorers so far in the Olympics, with Argentina bringing in dynamic midfielders to run past the defensive line and score incredible finishes.
The creativity, tactical awareness, and talented players on each team will make this one of the best men’s soccer games of the year.
