The dream of an all-African final at the Paris 2024 men’s football event is over after both Morocco and Egypt lost in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
In the first semi-final, Morocco lost 2-1 to Spain after taking the lead.
Tournament top scorer Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty for his sixth goal at the Games and put the North Africans ahead in the 37th minute.
Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez equalised for Spain the 66th minute before substitute Juanlu Sanchez drilled home the winning goal five minutes from time to clinch his side’s place in Friday’s final in Paris.
In the second semi-final, hosts France also came from behind to beat Egypt 3-1 after extra time.
Egypt took the lead through Mahmoud Saber in the 62nd minute before Jean-Philippe Mateta for France in the 83rd.
Mateta then headed the hosts in front nine minutes into extra time, after Omar Fayed of Egypt had been sent off for a second yellow card.
Michael Olise rounded off the scoring for France in the 108th minute.
Egypt will face Morocco in the bronze medal match in Nantes on Thursday while France take on Spain in the gold medal match on Friday.
