Spain has secured Olympic men’s football gold at Paris 2024 in a thrilling match that ended 5-3, overcoming France in extra time after initially squandering a 3-1 lead. The Spanish team, continuing their recent dominance in international football, faced a resilient French side that fought back to level the score in the second half, forcing the game into extra time.
The match, held at the Parc des Princes in front of a passionate 48,000-strong crowd, saw France take an early lead through Enzo Millot, whose shot slipped through the hands of Spain’s goalkeeper Arnau Tenas. However, Spain quickly responded with Fermin Lopez equalising just seven minutes later, capitalising on a well-executed move.
Lopez then put Spain ahead with his second goal, pouncing on a mistake by French keeper Guillaume Restes. Spain extended their lead to 3-1 before halftime when Alex Baena expertly curled in a free-kick.
Despite the deficit, Thierry Henry’s French team mounted a spirited second-half comeback. Maghnes Akliouche reduced the gap by diverting Michael Olise’s free-kick into the net, and in stoppage time, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul in the box. This dramatic equaliser sent the match into extra time, reigniting the hopes of the home crowd.
In the extra period, Spain’s substitute Sergio Camello emerged as the hero, scoring twice to secure a 5-3 victory and Olympic gold for Spain—their first since 1992. The win capped off an incredible summer for Spanish football, following their men’s European Championship triumph and their Under-19 European title, as well as the women’s team’s World Cup victory last year.
For France, the loss was a bitter disappointment, especially for Henry, who had hoped to lead his team to their first Olympic gold in 40 years. Despite the heartbreak, the French team’s performance, particularly their comeback, earned them the admiration of the home fans, even if they ultimately fell short.
With France’s loss, Great Britain remained fourth in the Paris 2024 medal table, narrowly ahead of the host nation. Both countries, along with Japan, have won 14 gold medals, but Team GB’s overall tally of 57 medals kept them ahead by a slim margin.
Melissa Enoch
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