Spain: Three issues that make this match exceptional!

Morocco and Spain will face each other this Monday for a place in the final of the football tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in a match that goes beyond the simple sporting framework.

After respectively eliminating the United States (4-0) and Japan (3-0) in the quarter-finals, Morocco and Spain meet again to play the first semi-final of the 2024 Olympic football tournament. This confrontation between two frequent rivals, who regularly compete for dual-national players, is all the more significant given the recent history between the two nations.

Spain wants revenge on 2022

The 2022 World Cup round of 16 between the Atlas Lions and La Roja marked a notable turning point in the Spanish-Moroccan rivalry. This reunion is an opportunity for revenge for the Spaniards, whose team was surprised a year and a half ago, after being neutralized for 120 minutes by the team led by Walid Regragui (0-0, 3-0 on penalties). As a reminder, during their last clash at the London Olympics in 2012, the two teams left with a goalless draw in the first round (0-0).

Rivalry for the organization of the 2030 World Cup final

The Morocco-Spain encounter also symbolises the competition between the two countries to host the 2030 World Cup final, which they will co-host with Portugal. With propaganda and lobbying efforts on both sides, the Atlas Lions hope to host the final in their new stadium in Casablanca, while the Spanish prefer the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Pending FIFA's decision, the rivalry remains intense.

Controversial celebrations after the Euro

The match will also be played in the stands, where fans of both teams recently clashed on social media following Spain's Euro 2024 victory. The Gibraltar controversy and the Lamine Yamal and ham controversy have heightened tensions. Whatever the outcome of this encounter, it could further inflame already strained relations and potentially spark further controversy.