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On the evening of July 27, Beijing time, in the men's football group stage of the Paris Olympics, the confrontation between Argentina and Iraq, Dominica and Spain became the focus. Both matches were full of drama and suspense, not only showcasing the skill and fighting spirit of the players, but also reflecting the intensity and uncertainty of Olympic football.
Argentina came off the bench and narrowly beat Iraq
In the second round of the group stage on July 27, Beijing time, Argentina won 3-1 against Iraq, a victory that was crucial for Argentina as they needed this victory to secure their position in the standings and avoid the risk of early exit. In the game, Argentina's substitutes played a key role, not only scoring at key moments, but also making important contributions on the defensive end.
Just 14 minutes into the game, Almada received an assist from Alvarez to open the scoring for Argentina with a brilliant volley. However, Iraq did not give up easily, showing their tenacity in first-half stoppage time when Hussein equalised with a header. But into the second half, Argentina gradually took the initiative on the field, and Gondou received an assist from Zenon in the 62nd minute to give Argentina the lead again with a header. Towards the end of the game, Ezequiel · Fernandez's long-range goal sealed the win for Argentina.
Statistically, Argentina had a clear advantage in this game, with a whopping 68% possession and a whopping 18 shots on goal, six of which on target. In contrast, Iraq had few shots on goal, with just five shots on goal and two of them on target. After this victory, Argentina are temporarily at the top of the table, but they still need to continue to work hard to consolidate the position with one more game than the other teams.
Iraq resisted stubbornly and still suffered defeat
Iraq showed their indomitable spirit by stubbornly equalising through Hussein's header in the first half. However, entering the second half, they were unable to withstand Argentina's onslaught and eventually lost 3-1. Despite the loss, the Iraq players deserved praise for their performance on the field. They were undaunted in the face of strong opponents, and through active scrambling and effective defense, they once put Argentina in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, due to the gap in overall strength and experience, they were unable to equalize or overtake.
After this defeat, Iraq fell to third in the group, and the qualification situation became difficult. However, they still have a chance to move up the rankings in the upcoming games, and the key is how to adjust their tactics and mentality to go into the rest of the games in the best possible condition.
Spain qualified early and showed strong strength
In the other group game, Spain secured a place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Dominica. In this match, Spain showed strong overall strength and excellent individual skills. Fermin opened the scoring for Spain with a 24th-minute tackle, while goals from Baena and Gutiérrez sealed the win. Although the Dominicans pulled one back with a header from Angel in the 38th minute and had one less player before half-time when Acona was sent off, they were unable to turn the tide around.
Spain's victory was no accident, with a clear advantage in key stats such as possession, shots and passes. The outstanding performances of players such as Baena and Gutiérrez laid a solid foundation for the team's victory. After advancing to the quarter-finals early, Spain will have more time and opportunities to adjust their tactics and line-up for the more intense matches that follow.
The situation in Dominica is unfavorable, and the prospects of qualifying are worrying
The Dominican Republic has suffered a number of headwinds in this game. With the exception of Ascona's red card just before half-time, they failed to perform at their best at both the offensive and defensive ends. In the face of Spain's strong attack, the Dominican defence's defence was repeatedly porous and the attacking side failed to create too many dangerous shooting opportunities.
After this defeat, Dominica's prospects of qualification have become worrying. They will need to give it their all in the next matches to win more points and score points if they can progress to the quarter-finals. However, given the quality and form of the other opponents in the group, it will not be easy for the Dominican Republic to qualify. They need to adjust their tactics and mentality as soon as possible to be in the best shape for the rest of the game.