In a thrilling finale to the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Spain clinched the gold medal with a dramatic 5-3 victory over host nation France in extra time. The match, played at the Parc des Princes in front of nearly 50,000 spectators, was a rollercoaster of emotions that showcased the best of Olympic football.France started strongly, with Enzo Millot opening the scoring in the 11th minute. However, Spain responded emphatically, with Fermín López netting twice (18′ and 25′) and Álex Baena adding a third from a free kick (28′) to give Spain a 3-1 lead at halftime.The hosts mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Maghnes Akliouche reduced the deficit in the 79th minute, and Jean-Philippe Mateta dramatically equalized from the penalty spot in stoppage time (90+3′), forcing the match into extra time.It was in the additional period that Spain’s Sergio Camello emerged as the hero. The 23-year-old Rayo Vallecano forward scored the crucial fourth goal in the 100th minute and sealed the victory with Spain’s fifth in the dying moments of extra time (120+1′).This golden triumph marks Spain’s second Olympic title in men’s football, coming 32 years after their victory on home soil in Barcelona 1992. The win also completes a remarkable double for this Spanish team, who had already claimed the European Championship earlier in 2024.Spanish coach Santi Denia expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, ‘It was a great day for Spanish football’. The victory cements Spain’s place among the elite nations in Olympic football history, joining the ranks of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and the former Soviet Union.For France, the silver medal represents their best Olympic football performance since winning gold in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Morocco secured the bronze medal with a convincing 6-0 victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff.
Key points
- Spain won the Olympic gold medal in men’s football, defeating France 5-3 in extra time.
- Fermín López scored twice for Spain, while Sergio Camello netted the winning goals in extra time.
- This is Spain’s second Olympic gold in football, following their 1992 victory in Barcelona.
- The Spanish team completed a remarkable double, having also won the European Championship earlier in 2024.
Contradictions👾Some sources reported the final score as 5-3, while others stated it as 3-5.
This discrepancy likely stems from different ways of presenting the score (winner’s score first vs.
chronological order).
