We will continue to dream, Micale says ahead of France game

Egypt U23 boss Rogério Micale has insisted the team will continue to fight to claim a medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Pharaohs have made history and reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics after beating Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Diego Gómez gave the South Americans the lead in the 71st minute before Ibrahim Adel found the equaliser for Egypt just two minutes before the full-time whistle.

As the game headed into penalties, Egypt scored all their five penalties, through Kouka, Elneny, El-Debes, Abdelmeguid, and Ibrahim Adel, while Hamza Alaa saved Marcelo Pérez’s strike to send Egypt through.

Speaking after the game, Micale said: “The secret to success is a lot of fighting, giving, and believing in the dream until the end, and this contributed to the team’s victory over Paraguay.

“We will continue to dream, a right that no one can take away from us, and I am very happy for the Egyptian people. The dream is still alive.”

For the first time in 60 years, Egypt have qualified for the semi-finals of the Football Olympic event, finishing fourth in the 1964 and 1928 editions.

Moreover, it’s the first time two Arab teams will be in the Olympic semi-finals, as both Egypt and Morocco have qualified for the final four.

Egypt will now face hosts France in the semi-finals at Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu on Monday, August 5.