In a tense and controversial quarterfinal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s football tournament, France emerged victorious over Argentina with a 1-0 win. The sole goal was scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta in the fifth minute. This victory marks France’s first Olympic football semifinal appearance since 1984, when they last won gold.The match, held in Bordeaux, was marred by hostility and controversy. French fans booed the Argentine players during warm-ups and whistled during their national anthem. The game concluded with a violent confrontation between players from both teams, resulting in a red card for French midfielder Enzo Millot.France’s coach, Thierry Henry, expressed disappointment at the post-match skirmishes, stating, ‘I don’t like seeing this kind of thing. It wasn’t necessary’. The incident was partially attributed to lingering tensions from a racism scandal involving Argentine players singing offensive songs about French players of African heritage.In the semifinals, France will face Egypt, who secured their spot by defeating Paraguay 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. This marks a historic achievement for Egypt, as it’s only the third time they’ve reached the Olympic semifinals in football, with previous appearances in 1928 and 1964.The France-Egypt semifinal is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2024, at 10:00 PM Mecca time in Lyon’s Grobama Stadium. The other semifinal will feature Spain, who defeated Japan 3-0, against Morocco.Despite the controversy, this tournament represents a significant opportunity for both France and Egypt. France aims to win their second Olympic gold in football, 40 years after their 1984 triumph. For Egypt, reaching the semifinals is already a historic achievement, with fans and players alike celebrating their success.
Key points
- France defeated Argentina 1-0 in a controversial Olympic quarterfinal match.
- The game ended with a violent confrontation between players, resulting in a red card for French midfielder Enzo Millot.
- France will face Egypt in the semifinals, marking Egypt’s third-ever Olympic football semifinal appearance.
- The France-Egypt semifinal is scheduled for August 5, 2024, in Lyon.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reporting of the goal scorer and timing.
While most sources credit Jean-Philippe Mateta with scoring in the fifth minute, one source mentions Michael Olise scoring a goal that was initially disallowed but later overturned.
