The 2024 Paris Olympics football quarterfinal schedule has been released. Based on the results in the group stage, the host French U-23 National Team will challenge the Argentina U-23 National Team on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
Previously, the Morocco U-23 National Team vs the United States U-23 (Friday, August 2, 2024), Japan U-23 vs Spain U-23 (Friday, August 2, 2024) and Egypt U-23 vs Paraguay (Saturday, August 3, 2024) were held.
Based on the existing chart, the winner of the France U-23 vs Argentina U-23 match will meet the winner of the Egypt U-23 vs Paraguay U-23 match in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the winner of the Morocco U-23 vs United States U-23 match will challenge the winner of the Japan U-23 vs Spain U-23 match.
The meeting of France U-23 vs Argentina U-23 is the most interesting. Many think that this match should be staged in the final match of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The clash between France U-23 and Argentina U-23 was because the La Albiceleste squad – Argentina U-23’s nickname – unexpectedly finished as runners-up in Group B. Although their points collection and goal difference were exactly the same as Morocco U-23 at the top of Group B, Argentina U-23 lost head-to-head to the African representative.
In addition, the Spanish U-23 National Team being knocked out of Group C surprised many. La Rojita – the nickname of the Spanish U-23 National Team – who won the first two matches, unexpectedly lost 1-2 to Egypt U-23.
As a result, Egypt U-23 finished as the winner of Group C with seven points, ahead of Spain U-23 in second place with six points. However, Spain seemed to have received a blessing by finishing as the runner-up of Group C.
By finishing as the runner-up of Group C, they avoided the country chart. If they had finished as the winner of Group C, Spain U-23 would have challenged France U-23 or Argentina U-23 in the semifinals (assuming they won the Quarterfinals).
Compare that with now. If they beat Japan in the Quarterfinals, Spain U-23 only challenges the winner of the Morocco U-23 vs United States U-23 match. So the conclusion is, did Spain U-23 deliberately lose to Egypt U-23 in order to avoid France U-23 and Argentina U-23?
