Argentina vs Morocco Kicks off Paris 2024

Argentina vs Morocco Olympic Soccer: Can Hakimi Power Morocco to Upset?

🥇Gold Medal Contenders Face Off in First Match

Argentina U23 and Morocco U23 are among the top contenders to win the Gold Medal in Men’s soccer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. On Wednesday, the two U23 sides, with three permitted overage players, will kick off the Olympics when they face off in Saint-Etienne in the first match of the group stage.

While Achraf Hakimi headlines the Moroccan squad, Argentina have four World Cup winners on their roster. We’ll see what Morocco’s chances are to pull off an upset as we cover the Argentina vs Morocco Olympic soccer match and the odds.

Argentina U23 vs Morocco U23 Game Info:

⚽ Game: Argentina U23 vs Morocco U23
📅Date & Time: Wednesday, July 24, 9:00 a.m. ET
📍Location: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Ètienne, France
📺Stream: NBC Olympics

Head-to-Head:

This is the first-ever Argentina vs Morocco Olympic soccer matchup. Morocco are 0-2 vs South American sides in their U23 Olympic history. Meanwhile, Argentina are 5-1-1 in Olympic matches against African teams since it became a U23 tournament in 1992.

Argentina: Alvarez and Almada Players to Watch

The two-time Olympic Gold Medalists, Argentina are coached by former national team player Javier Mascherano. Mascherano convinced World Cup winners Geronimo Rulli, Nicolas Otamendi, and Julian Alvarez to participate in the squad as overage players. Midfielder Thiago Almada (23) was also on Argentina’s World Cup-winning roster. Alvarez scored four goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and he played a role in Argentina’s recent Copa America title.

Otamendi was a key defender on the 2022 World Cup side and added invaluable experience to a young Argentina squad. Goalkeeper Rulli is the backup for the senior side but having a high-level keeper can be key in the Olympics. At the other end of the pitch, Argentina have Alvarez, Lucas Beltran, and Giuliano Simeone to call upon.

Argentina weren’t at all convincing in CONMEBOL’s pre-Olympic tournament, though, with two wins and four draws. While Almada, who could be one of the players to watch in the tournament, scored five goals, Argentina also conceded nine goals in six games.

Still, the outright Paris 2024 odds price Argentina at +260 to win gold, the second-best odds in the competition behind hosts France. Argentina’s fixtures after Morocco are against Iraq and Ukraine and La Albiceleste are favorites to win the group.

Morocco: Not Short on European-Based Talent

This is Morocco’s fifth appearance in the Men’s Olympic soccer tournament since it became a U23 tournament and they haven’t had much success so far. It’s their first appearance since 2012 and they haven’t made it past the first round/group stage since the senior team did it in 1972. Morocco U23 are 1-3-8 in Olympic matches but they are among the tournament favorites here.

The Paris 2024 odds price Morocco at a +1000 price to win their first gold medal but, in reality, getting out of the group stage would be a win. Tarek Sektioui called up right back Achraf Hakimi, goalkeeper Munir Mohammed and attacker Soufiane Rahimi as his three overage players and Hakimi might be the best player at the tournament.

The rest of the roster has some interesting talents like Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli, Monaco attacking midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir and Rennes midfielder Amir Richardson. However, Lugano center back Ayman El Wafi had to drop out of the squad due to his club commitments.

Morocco ended up winning the U23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 to qualify for the Olympics. In the last 12 months, they’ve only lost three of their 15 matches but have only kept four clean sheets in the process.

Match Analysis & Odds

Argentina have failed to get out of the group stage in the last two Olympic Games but their roster is stronger this time around. The latest soccer betting odds list the Albiceleste as -160 favorites to win their opening match at Paris 2024.

Meanwhile, Morocco are going for their first Olympic win since 2004 and sit at +380 odds to pull off the upset on Wednesday. Hakimi is a great leader to have but Morocco are otherwise inexperienced across the backline and that could hurt them against a seriously talented Argentina side.

While Argentina -1 sits at +120 odds, bettors can find Morocco +1 at -150. Morocco have only won two of their last five games heading into the tournament as Argentina lost their last pre-Olympic friendly against Guinea. Still, it’s hard to bet against Argentina given the combination of experience, talent, and depth they have.

The Argentina vs Morocco Olympic soccer odds list a draw at +270, while the over/under is set at 2.5 goals for what should be an entertaining game.

For Olympic Games betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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