2024 Olympics: Spain Defeats France To Win Men’s Football Gold

Spain claimed the 2024 Olympic men’s football gold medal with a thrilling 5-3 victory over host nation France, securing their first Olympic football title since 1992.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the match, held on Friday, was a rollercoaster of emotions that saw France fight back from a two-goal deficit to force extra time, only to be undone by a late double from Sergio Camello.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• ‘Demonstration Continues’ – Lagos Protest Organizers Declares
• ‘FG’s Policies Major Cause Of Hardship’ – Obaseki Reacts As Edo Protesters Worship On Street
• LSMTL Targets ISO/17025 Accreditation for Global Standards

The game started with France taking an early lead through Enzo Millot, putting the hosts in a strong position.

However, Spain quickly responded, with Fermin Lopez scoring twice and Alex Baena adding another goal from a free-kick, giving Spain a 3-1 advantage.

The French side, refusing to give up, managed to claw their way back into the game.

Maghnes Akliouche reduced the deficit with a goal, and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty in stoppage time, awarded after a VAR review, brought the game level at 3-3, sending the match into extra time.

In the extra period, it was Camello who made the difference.

The Rayo Vallecano forward scored in the 100th minute to restore Spain’s lead, and he followed up with another goal to seal the victory in the closing stages of the match.

This win marks a significant achievement for Spain, adding to their recent successes, including their European Championship victory last month and the Under-19 Euros title, where they also defeated France in the final.

For France, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after their dramatic comeback effort.

The team had been aiming to win their second Olympic football gold, 40 years after their first in Los Angeles, but will now have to settle for the silver medal.

FURTHER READING

• Tragic Clash In Bauchi: Youth Shot Dead By Nigerian Soldier
• Protest Against Govt Policies Not Peculiar To Nigeria – Ganduje
• Police Warn Cultists Against Celebrating 8/8 In Osun

Despite the disappointment, the French team can take pride in their resilience and the fight they put up in a match that echoed the drama of the 2022 World Cup final, where they similarly came back from the brink only to lose in the end.

Click here to watch our video of the week: