Bordeaux, France – The Olympic men’s football quarter-finals on Friday delivered dramatic twists and tensions as France’s narrow 1-0 victory over Argentina was marred by post-match chaos, while Spain, Morocco, and Egypt secured their places in the semi-finals.
France vs. Argentina: On-Field Drama and Off-Field Controversies
In a high-stakes quarter-final match held in Bordeaux, France’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the decisive goal, propelling the hosts into the semi-finals with a 1-0 win. Mateta’s header, which came from a Michael Olise corner just five minutes into the game, was enough to see off a resilient Argentina squad.
The victory, however, was overshadowed by unsportsmanlike conduct. Post-match, tensions erupted as players and staff from both sides clashed on the pitch, with altercations continuing in the tunnel.
The hostility was partly fueled by recent animosities between the two teams. Earlier in July, Argentine players were recorded singing racist chants targeting French star Kylian Mbappe during their Copa America celebrations. FIFA has since announced an investigation into these incidents.
Adding to the controversy, France’s Enzo Millot, who had been substituted late in the game, received a red card after the final whistle. France coach Thierry Henry expressed his discontent, questioning the rationale behind the decision as Millot was not actively involved in the match at that time.
“He wasn’t on the pitch. Maybe you get sent off because you get a second yellow card to stop someone running through on goal, not when you are on the bench. I am really not happy about that,” Henry told France 3.
Argentina’s exit from the competition marks the end of their bid for a third gold medal, and with Latin American teams now out of contention, the winner of the men’s football gold will not hail from the region for the first time since Cameroon’s victory in Sydney in 2000.
Spain’s Dominant Performance Against Japan
In Lyon, Spain showcased their attacking prowess with a resounding 3-0 win over Japan. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez played a pivotal role, scoring twice to lead his team to victory.
Lopez’s first goal came in the 11th minute from a long-range strike, followed by a second goal in the 73rd minute, where he expertly volleyed a Sergio Gomez corner from the edge of the box.
Spain’s captain, Abel Ruiz, sealed the win with a late goal, ensuring Spain’s place in the semi-finals. The Spanish squad, Olympic champions in 1992 and silver medallists in Tokyo 2020, will face Morocco in their next match.
Morocco’s Impressive Win Over the United States
Morocco’s march to the semi-finals was highlighted by a commanding 4-0 victory over the United States in Paris. The Moroccans were led by their captain, Achraf Hakimi, who scored the third goal in a performance that underlined Morocco’s strength in the tournament.
The scoring began with Soufiane Rahimi, who converted a penalty after being fouled in the box. Rahimi’s goal was his fifth in four games, maintaining his position as the tournament’s top scorer. Ilias Akhomach and Hakimi added further goals, with Mehdi Maouhoub scoring a late penalty to complete the rout.
“We are playing very well and if we continue like this, we will deserve to be in the final,” Akhomach said after the match. Morocco’s confidence is high as they prepare to face Spain in Marseille for a spot in the final.
Egypt’s Nail-Biting Victory Over Paraguay
In Marseille, Egypt secured their semi-final berth with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Paraguay following a 1-1 draw.
Ibrahim Adel was Egypt’s hero, scoring a late equalizer in normal time and then converting the decisive penalty in the shootout. Paraguay’s Marcelo Perez was the only player to miss, which proved critical in the final outcome.
Looking Ahead: Semi-Final Matchups
The semi-final lineup is set with France facing Egypt and Spain taking on Morocco. France, buoyed by their home advantage, will look to capitalize on their victory against Argentina as they prepare for a challenging encounter with Egypt. Meanwhile, Spain and Morocco will renew their rivalry in Marseille, each team eager to advance to the final.
As the tournament progresses, the remaining teams are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Olympic men’s football competition. With high-stakes matches and intense rivalries, the path to the gold medal is set to be a dramatic and captivating journey.
