Olympic soccer quarterfinals: France against Argentina, while Spain faces Japan

The summer Olympics soccer event for men and women has finally reached the knockout stage in Paris with the men’s fixtures kicking off with quarterfinal matches on Friday. Eight teams paired in four fixtures hope to get into the semifinal which will take them one step closer to winning an Olympic medal.

Hosts France have breezed into the next round after winning all three matches against Guinea, USA, and New Zealand. They topped the group and will now face Argentina, which finished second in Group B behind Morocco after losing to the North Africans while beating Ukraine and Iraq.

The South Americans have the luxury of Manchester City’s frontman Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi while being coached by legendary midfielder Javier Mascherano. 

Mascherano had previously criticized the Olympics organizers after Argentina’s opening game was marred by controversies of a pitch invasion, and lengthy VAR check while a late Argentina equalizer was ruled off for offside with players forced to resume play after staying in the dressing room for close to an hour.

The game at St Etienne had ended 2-2, but the VAR check rendered the goal invalid, giving Morocco a 2-1 win in their first game. Mascherano tagged the incident as a disgrace and a poison to the tournament.

“This wouldn’t even happen in a neighborhood tournament. It’s pathetic. Beyond the Olympic spirit, the organization needs to be up to standard, and, at the moment. Unfortunately, it is not. I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that. It is a circus.” Mascherano said.

The United States Men’s Team have had a good run in the competition and they have been rewarded with a clash with Morocco who are blessed with Achraf Hakimi’s experience. Japan and Spain will clash while African Egypt will play Paraguay.