In a tense and emotionally charged quarterfinal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, France’s rugby sevens team defeated Argentina’s Los Pumas 7s 26-14, dashing the South American team’s medal hopes. The game, held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, was marked by a hostile atmosphere, with French fans booing and jeering the Argentine team throughout the match.France dominated the first half, racing to a 21-0 lead by halftime. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Argentina in the second half, scoring two tries through Rodrigo Isgró and Marcos Moneta, they ultimately fell short. France’s victory was sealed by a try from Antoine Dupont, considered one of the world’s best rugby players, who entered the game in the second half.The loss was particularly bitter for Argentina, who had high expectations based on their strong performance throughout the year. Captain Santiago Álvarez expressed the team’s disappointment, saying, “We came with a big illusion after what we had been doing during the year, but it was within the possibilities. We gave away the first half and in the quarterfinals it can’t happen. Very sad”.For France, the victory was especially sweet, coming against a backdrop of recent sporting tensions between the two nations. French player Andy Timo, who scored one of France’s tries, said, “It’s wonderful, magical. I’m at home, it’s a pleasure to score. I felt like I was playing a final, it’s just the beginning”.France will now face South Africa in the semifinals on Saturday, while Argentina will play New Zealand in the classification round for 5th to 8th place. The other semifinal will see Fiji, who narrowly escaped defeat against Ireland, face Australia.
Key points
- France defeated Argentina 26-14 in the Olympic rugby sevens quarterfinals, ending Argentina’s medal hopes.
- The match was marked by a hostile atmosphere, with French fans booing the Argentine team.
- France will face South Africa in the semifinals, while Argentina will play for 5th to 8th place.
- The loss was particularly disappointing for Argentina, who had high expectations based on their performance throughout the year.
Contradictions👾There is a discrepancy in reporting the exact nature of France’s upcoming match.
While most sources state France will face South Africa in the semifinals, one source incorrectly reported that France would face Argentina in the quarterfinals, which had already occurred.
