Spain defeated France 5-3 in the thrilling Olympic final and reclaimed the gold medal in men’s football, a feat they hadn’t achieved since 1992 at the Barcelona Games.
Join us as we revisit this historic showdown, which became one for the Olympic football history books due to its intensity and dramatic twists.
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Index
France 3-5 Spain
The stage for this spectacle was the Parc des Princes, packed with French supporters eager for another gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The hosts struck first with a goal from Millot. In the 11th minute, Olise attempted a cross, Baena poorly cleared it, and the ball fell to Millot, who struck it first time, aided by a mistake from goalkeeper Tenas, to open the scoring.
Spain quickly responded, equalizing in the 18th minute. After a beautiful team play, Baena found Fermín López free in the box, who slotted it into the corner, leveling the match.
Spain turned the game around in the 25th minute. Miranda received a pass on the left wing and crossed for Abel Ruiz, whose shot was saved by Restes, but Fermín López was there to pounce on the rebound and score his second goal of the match.
In the 28th minute, Spain extended their lead with a stunning free-kick goal by Baena. Restes didn’t even move as the ball nestled into the corner.
Photo: Reproduction/@SEFutbol / Lance!
In the 41st minute, Oroz passed to Miranda behind the defense, and the left-back shot across goal, with Restes saving with his feet.
In the 47th minute, Chotard attempted a cross, the ball deflected off the Spanish defense, and Mateta headed from close range, only for Tenas to pull off a sensational save.
France pressed at the end of the first half. In the 49th minute, after a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Olise, who fired just wide with a dangerous shot.
In the 12th minute of the second half, Truffert delivered a perfect cross, and Koné’s header rattled the crossbar.
In the 15th minute, Pubill crossed to the far post, and Miranda volleyed just wide.
In the 27th minute, Koné combined well with Kalimuendo, drove into the box, and forced a great save from Tenas.
France scored their second goal in the 34th minute. Olise took a free-kick, Akliouche flicked it on, and the ball found the bottom right corner of Tenas’s goal.
In the 43rd minute, Spain launched a quick counterattack after a French corner, but Jon Pacheco shot wide.
In the 44th minute, Doué took a corner, and Miranda held Kalimuendo. After a VAR review, referee Ramon Abatti awarded a penalty to France. Mateta calmly converted, leveling the score and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
In the 51st minute, Spain had a chance to secure the win. Camello made a good run and passed to Turrientes, whose first-time shot hit the crossbar.
Regulation time ended 3-3, sending the match into extra time.
In the 4th minute of extra time, Olise whipped a free-kick into the box, the Spanish defense failed to clear, and Doué’s shot deflected off the defense, with Kalimuendo nearly scoring, but he missed the ball.
Spain regained the lead in the 10th minute. Bernabé played a brilliant pass to Camello, who, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, coolly chipped the ball over him to score.
Photo: Getty Images
In the first minute of the second half of extra time, Sergio Gómez tried his luck from distance, and Restes tipped it over for a corner.
Spain sealed the victory in the final minute. Goalkeeper Tenas launched a perfect throw, and Camello, once again, showed composure to dink the ball over the keeper and secure the title for Spain.
Photo: Paul Childs/Reuters
Egypt 0-6 Morocco
In the bronze medal match, Morocco thrashed Egypt, with goals from Ezallzouli, Rahimi (twice), El Khanouss, Nakach, and Hakimi.
Written by Henry Miller.
