Spain Beat France To Win Gold In Men’s 2024 Olympic Final Football Match

Spain secured the 2024 Olympic men’s football gold medal on Friday after a historic triumph over the host nation, France.

Naija News reports that Spain clinched the victory with a score of 5-3 after extra time, highlighted by a crucial double from Sergio Camello in an exhilarating final.

Despite trailing 3-1, France managed to level the match with a late penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta, pushing the game into extra time.

However, Camello’s two goals ultimately led Spain to claim the championship for the first time since 1992.

Dramatic Comeback

Naija News understands that Enzo Millot initially gave France the lead, but a brace from Fermin Lopez and a free-kick by Alex Baena dramatically shifted the momentum of the final.

Nevertheless, France mounted a remarkable comeback, with Maghnes Akliouche scoring to reduce the deficit, followed by Jean-Philippe Mateta converting a penalty in stoppage time, awarded after a VAR review.

This development led the match into extra time, where Rayo Vallecano’s Camello emerged as the decisive player, scoring in the 100th minute to restore Spain’s advantage and ultimately securing their victory in the closing moments.

Having previously secured silver medals in Tokyo three years ago, this marks Spain’s second Olympic gold in men’s football, the first being in Barcelona in 1992, a squad that included notable players such as Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

France aspired to claim their second gold medal, 40 years after their triumph in Los Angeles, but must now settle for the silver medal.

This victory caps a remarkable summer for Spain’s men’s football team, following their success at the Euros in Germany last month and their recent Under-19 Euros victory against France in the final.

Despite the outcome, Henry’s team can take pride in their performance in a match that evoked memories of the 2022 World Cup final, where France lost to Argentina on penalties after a similar comeback effort.