Spain vs Egypt

Stade de la Beaujoire is the venue as Spain and Egypt go head-to-head in a top-table Group C six-pointer at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Perhaps inspired by the senior team’s resounding Euro 2024 success, Spain have got their Group C journey off to a flyer, winning both matches against the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan ‘to one’ to secure qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare. As one of only two nations to have ground out a spot in the quarter-finals after the opening two rounds, Santi Denia’s side can afford to take their feet off the gas. However, La Roja will hope to build momentum ahead of the knockouts as they bid to win the gold medal for the first time since hosting the Games in 1992. Delivering action from the get-go could help, and after breaking the deadlock within 30 minutes in both Group C matches, they’re well-positioned to do just that.

On the other hand, Ahmed Kouka’s 11th-minute opener propelled Egypt to a precious 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in round two following a tepid 0-0 draw against the Dominican Republic in their Olympics curtain-raiser. Defensively robust, Rogerio Micale’s men head into round three as one of only three nations yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Egypt’s robust set-up at the back will face a formidable challenge in Nantes and will likely have to withstand the pressure, considering Micale’s charges have only scored once in the first two outings. History beckons for the Pharaohs as they progressed as Group C runners-up behind Spain four years ago. They commence this round in second and will land a spot in the quarter-finals if the Dominican Republic fail to beat the already eliminated Uzbekistan via a multi-goal margin.