Guinea take on United States while Mali face a rejuvenated Paraguay

Guinea take on United States while Mali face a rejuvenated Paraguay

Eric Munene 13:00 - 30.07.2024

Guinea has no hope for progression while Mali need to defeat Paraguay and hope Israel lose to Japan

The Olympic football group stages are coming to a closure and Mali are desperate for points from Paraguay in round 3 in Olympic football.

On the other side, Guinea who have lost both of their games will be looking to gain points for pride as qualification is far beyond their reach.

Group A: USA vs. Guinea

The United States bounced back from a 3-0 defeat to France with a decisive 4-1 win over New Zealand.

With this victory, Marko Mitrović’s side controls their destiny. A win against Guinea will secure their place in the quarter-finals, while a draw might suffice if New Zealand fails to beat France.

This would mark a significant achievement for the USA, who haven’t reached the quarter-finals since 2000.

Guinea’s situation is far more complicated. After two losses and a frustrating campaign with disallowed goals, they must beat the USA and hope for a favorable result in the New Zealand vs. France game to advance.

Their previous Olympic exit came in 1968, and they need a win to avoid a repeat performance.

Players to keep an eye on include; USA's Paxten Aaronson, who scored against New Zealand and often makes an impact in the second half.

Guinea's Abdoulaye Touré will be crucial for their attacking efforts despite having goals disallowed.

Group B: Paraguay vs. Mali

Paraguay’s 4-2 win over Israel has put them in a strong position. After a 5-0 loss to Japan, they need at least a draw against Mali to advance, though a win would guarantee their progression.

Paraguay, with a silver medal from Athens 2004, aims to continue their Olympic success.

Mali must win to avoid elimination after a challenging tournament, including a missed penalty against Japan. Their inconsistent form and lack of clean sheets this year make this match a must-win.

Player to watch in this game are; Paraguay's Diego Gómez, who was outstanding against Israel with two assists.

For Mali its Thiemoko Diarra, who has been involved in their lone goal of the tournament.

With high stakes in both groups, these final matches promise intense action as teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.