MENA Sports Wrap: Morocco clinch historic Olympic bronze after defeating Egypt in men's football

This week, Algeria's Sports Minister announced legal action against those defaming boxer Imane Khelif, while Palestinian runner Layla Almasri set a new national record at the Paris Olympics.

On Thursday, Morocco secured their first-ever Olympic medal in men's football with a 6-0 victory over Egypt, and Saudi taekwondo athlete Dunya Abutaleb defeated an Israeli opponent in a closely watched match.

Morocco trash Egypt 6-0 to win men's football bronze medal

Morocco's Atlas Lions outclassed Egypt on Thursday at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes during the men's bronze medal match with six goals, in a match which saw the Moroccans seal their first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.

The prolific Soufiane Rahimi scored twice and captain Achraf Hakimi netted a stunning free-kick from outside the box, with other goals coming from Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss and Akram Nakach.

UAE-based Rahimi's brace took him to eight goals at the Olympics, cementing his status as the tournament's top scorer.

Morocco, who beat Argentina in their opening group game and were eventually beaten by Spain in the semi-finals, had already defeated Egypt in the final of last year's Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match was highly anticipated due to the rivalry between the Atlas Lions and the Pharaohs.  

"We had to earn our victory, it wasn't easy. It's important to get failures first and learn from mistakes and we were able to come back stronger," Morocco manager Tarik Sektioui told reporters.

Morocco's win seals the country's impressive rise in world football over the years, including the fourth-place finish at the World Cup in 2022, which saw them beat the likes of Spain and Portugal during the tournament.

Thursday's medal is also Morocco's second of the Olympics after long-distance runner Soufiane El Bakkali won gold in the men's 3000m steeplechase. 

Algeria to sue boxer Imane Khelif's critics for defamation

Algeria's Sports Minister Abdul Rahman Hammad has said the North African country will legally pursue anyone who defames Algerian boxer Imane Khelif who is competing in the Paris Olympics.

"Our great Iman Khelif is under attack from an organisation that has no legitimacy with IOC [International Olympic Committee]," Hammad said in a post on X on Monday, without identifying the organisation he was referring to.

"Incredible resources are used to legally pursue and hold accountable anyone who dares to threaten or defame her. Our determination is limitless," Hammad said.

His post on X was accompanied by an illustration of the boxer surrounded by supporters.

Also on Monday, the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee (COA) issued a statement defending Khelif.

The COA announced last week that it had taken legal action against a Hungarian boxer over an "offensive" social media post relating to Khelif.

Khelif was cleared to compete in the women's boxing in Paris, having been disqualified from the International Boxing Association (IBA)'s Women's World Championships last year after not meeting eligibility criteria.

Layla Almasri sets new 800-metre record for Palestine in Paris 

Palestinian runner Layla Almasri set a new national record for her country in the women's 800-metre event at the Paris Olympics on Friday, despite failing to progress in the competition.

Almasri, whose parents hail from the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, completed the first heat with a time of 2:12.21, finishing in ninth place.

"I think I can speak for all eight of us here at the Olympics," Almasri said after the race on Friday. "We’re definitely diplomats for our people as well as athletes."

On Saturday, Almasri ended her participation in the Paris Games with an eighth-place finish in the 800-metre repechage event, with a time of 2:16.72.

The Colorado-born athlete had become a fan favourite in Paris, with fans from many countries cheering on the 25-year-old.

"I wasn’t even looking at the clock," Almasri was quoted by AP as saying. "Just soaked in the moment. The crowd was really what I was focused on. And of course (I had) the best view in the house watching that race. Right on the track."

The popularity of the Palestinian contingent has also extended to the athletes' village, where Almasri said they have received a warm welcome.

"Everybody wants a pin. We’re stopped for photos in the dining hall constantly," Almasri said. “It’s really incredible to see how many people are really surprised to see us and happy to see us.”

Almasri's appearance at the Paris Games comes amid Israel's brutal war on Gaza, which has killed close to 40,000 Palestinians and injured tens of thousands more since October.

Israel's onslaught has also killed at least 400 athletes, according to the Palestinian Olympic Committee, including Palestine's first-ever Olympian Majed Abu Maraheel.

Despite coming last in the first heat on Friday, Almasri her participation was for a purpose bigger than any medal she could have won on the day.

"I was doing it for Palestine," she said. "And I felt I could do no wrong because I was running for my people."

Saudi Arabia meets Israel in Taekwondo

Saudi taekwondo competitor Dunya Abutaleb defeated Israeli counterpart Avishag Semberg in the women's flyweight event on Wednesday, in round 16, much to the delight of fans watching in the stands.

Semberg was reduced to tears following the defeat and expressed disappointment after losing 2-6, 5-4, 10-0. Abutaleb capped her victory with two kicks to the head and two kicks to the body in the third round.

Abutaleb is the first Saudi woman to earn direct qualification to the Olympics, after making it through Asian qualifiers. Previously, Saudi female athletes were included as part of national quota allocations.

The Saudi taekwondo athlete also competed against Morocco's Oumaima El-Bouchti but lost to Thailand's Panipak Wongpattanakit.

The match drew attention as Israeli athletes have received criticism from pro-Palestinian activists for competing in the Olympics due to the country's deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip, as well as due to Abutaleb's Saudi nationality.