Paraguay Olympic won the last ticket to the quarterfinals of men's football at the 2024 Olympics

Paraguay's Olympic team won a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating Mali 1-0 in the final round of Group D on the morning of July 31.

Marcelo Fernandez (7) celebrates a goal for Olympic Paraguay - Photo: ALBIRROJA

Japan Olympic team has already secured a ticket to the quarterfinals after 2 consecutive wins. Therefore, the remaining ticket to the quarterfinals in Group D is a competition between Paraguay Olympic team (3 points), Mali Olympic team and Israel Olympic team (both 1 point). In a position where they have to win to decide their own fate, Paraguay Olympic team scored an early goal against Mali Olympic team in the 5th minute of the match. This goal was extremely beautiful. Receiving the ball from Marcelo Perez, Marcelo Fernandez controlled the ball with 1 touch and then swiped the ball from outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Diarra Lassine. Having an early goal helped Paraguay Olympic players play comfortably and deploy their tactical ideas. They controlled the ball less than Mali Olympic team (41% compared to 59%), but had more shots than their opponents (13 compared to 9). Mali Olympic team had 2 chances to equalize the score in the second half but failed to take advantage of them. The most obvious situation was in the 72nd minute, when center-back Ibrahima Cisse shot close to the goal but could not beat goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez. There were not many dangerous attacks, but the match had 9 yellow cards. Of which, Olympic Paraguay received 6 yellow cards from the 38th minute to 90+12. Olympic Mali's three yellow cards only came in the extra time of 90+8 (2 cards) and 90+12.

Mao Hosoya celebrates a goal for the Japanese Olympic team - Photo: REUTERS

In the match that took place at the same time, the Japanese Olympic team, despite not fielding their strongest lineup, still beat the Israeli Olympic team 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute striker Mao Hosoya. The Israeli Olympic team played better in this match. But in a day of playing like a maniac, goalkeeper Leo Kokubo made many excellent saves for the Japanese Olympic team. Goalkeeper Kokubo prevented Liel Abada from scoring in a face-off in the 7th minute. In the second half, the goalkeeper with Nigerian and Japanese blood had two more excellent saves after two shots in the penalty area by Liel Abada (minute 80) and Dor Turgerman (minute 81). In a game where they controlled the ball more but did not create many dangerous opportunities, the Japanese Olympic team's substitutions in the second half brought results. Especially when the main striker Mao Hosoya was sent onto the field in the 79th minute. He was the one who scored the only goal of the match in the 90+1 minute with a 1-touch shot after a clear cross from the right wing by Kein Sato. The victory over Olympic Israel helped Olympic Japan lead Group D with 3 wins in a row. Olympic Paraguay ranked second in the group with 6 points. Thus, Olympic Japan will meet Olympic Spain in the quarterfinals. Olympic Paraguay will meet Olympic Egypt.

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