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U.S. men beaten 4-0 by Morocco and eliminated from the Olympic soccer tournament

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U.S. men beaten 4-0 by Morocco and eliminated from the Olympic soccer tournament
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U.S. men beaten 4-0 by Morocco and eliminated from the Olympic soccer tournament

2024-08-02 23:09 Last Updated At:23:11

PARIS (AP) — The United States was eliminated from the Olympic men's soccer tournament on Friday after a 4-0 loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals.

Soufiane Rahimi, Ilias Akhomach, Achraf Hakimi and Mehdi Maouhoub scored the goals at Parc des Princes that ended U.S. hopes of a medal at the Paris Games.

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Morocco's Mehdi Maouhoub celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

PARIS (AP) — The United States was eliminated from the Olympic men's soccer tournament on Friday after a 4-0 loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals.

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Kevin Paredes of the United States reacts after being tackled during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Kevin Paredes of the United States reacts after being tackled during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, challenges Griffin Yow of the United States during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, challenges Griffin Yow of the United States during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte of the United States makes a catch during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte of the United States makes a catch during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco supporters celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco supporters celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco players celebrate after Ilias Akhomach scored his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco players celebrate after Ilias Akhomach scored his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco, which enjoyed fervent support in the French capital, will play the winner of Japan vs. Spain in the semifinals in Marseille on Monday.

The U.S. qualified for the quarterfinals of the Olympics for the first time since Sydney 2000 but was outclassed by a polished Morocco team that had already beaten Argentina in the group stage.

Rahimi scored a penalty in the 29th minute and Akhomach doubled the lead in the 63rd.

Hakimi rolled in the third after a solo run in the 70th.

Maouhoub, a substitute, finished off the rout with a penalty in second-half stoppage time.

In front of a packed crowd at the home of Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco dominated the chances in the first half, but needed a penalty to find a breakthrough after Nathan Harriel fouled Rahimi in the box.

Despite protests from the American players, referee Yael Falcón Pérez pointed to the spot and Rahimi fired low to the left and beyond the dive of Patrick Schulte.

Miles Robinson had a golden chance to level the game in the 59th when collecting a knockdown from about six yards out, but shot wide.

That miss proved even more costly when Morocco extended its lead four minutes later through Akhomach, who slotted past Schulte from close range after Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross.

Hakimi, who plays his club soccer for PSG, added a third shortly after — carrying the ball to the edge of the box before firing into the bottom right hand corner.

Morocco made it 4-0 in stoppage time when Harriel handled in the box and, after a VAR review, a second penalty was awarded and Maouhoub converted.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Morocco's Mehdi Maouhoub celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Mehdi Maouhoub celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Kevin Paredes of the United States reacts after being tackled during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Kevin Paredes of the United States reacts after being tackled during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, challenges Griffin Yow of the United States during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, challenges Griffin Yow of the United States during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte of the United States makes a catch during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte of the United States makes a catch during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco supporters celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco supporters celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco players celebrate after Ilias Akhomach scored his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco players celebrate after Ilias Akhomach scored his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Ilias Akhomach celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the quarterfinal men's soccer match between Morocco and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

LONDON (AP) — Sri Lanka earned only its fourth test victory on English soil after an unbeaten century by opener Pathum Nissanka helped secure an eight-wicket win in the third and final match of the series against England at The Oval on Monday.

England won the series 2-1 but missed out on a second clean sweep of its international summer, having defeated the West Indies 3-0 in July.

Starting Day 4 on 94-1 and requiring 125 more runs to win, the Sri Lankans needed barely two hours to complete the job in clinical fashion. The platform was built on Sunday when they skittled England for 156 in just 34 overs and were given a victory target of 219.

Nissanka underpinned the chase with his second test hundred, reaching three figures in 107 balls and finishing 127 not out as Sri Lanka got to 219 in 40.3 overs.

The diminutive opener, who struck 13 fours and two sixes, spread his arms wide and soaked in the applause inside a half-full ground after passing 100, then kissed his bat and looked to the sky. His other century was against the West Indies in 2021, his first year in the Sri Lankan test team.

The quality of his knock raised the question why he didn't start the first test against England at Old Trafford last month, before he was recalled for the second test at Lord's.

Fittingly, it was Nissanka who scored the clinching runs with a cut for four.

The tourists’ previous test wins in England came in 1998 – that famous 10-wicket victory in a one-off test at The Oval – as well as at Trent Bridge in 2006 and Headingley in 2014.

This latest one looked unlikely after they won the toss but couldn’t capitalize on perfect bowling conditions on Day 1, which England ended on 221-3. It was all Sri Lanka after that, however, as England got sloppy and occasionally reckless.

The only wicket to fall on Monday was that of Kusal Mendis (39), who pulled a delivery from Gus Atkinson and saw Shoaib Bashir take a diving catch in the deep.

Angelo Mathews was unbeaten on 32 alongside Nissanka at the end, with the pair putting on 111 runs in an unbroken stand for the third wicket.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

England's Olly Stone in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

England's Olly Stone in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

England's Shoaib Bashir, center, celebrates with team-mates after taking the catch of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

England's Shoaib Bashir, center, celebrates with team-mates after taking the catch of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka in action on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka reacts after diving to make up ground on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka reacts after diving to make up ground on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka celebrates reaching his century on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka celebrates reaching his century on day four of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, in London, Monday Sept. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

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