The French team quickly took the lead in this Olympic Games final played at the Parc des Princes, with a goal from Enzo Millot, who took advantage of a defensive error to open the scoring. However, Spain responded with a superb team goal scored by Fermin Lopez, assisted by Alex Baena. Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a great opportunity for the Bleuets by placing his header directly into the hands of the Spanish goalkeeper. Abel Ruiz also saw his attempt pushed away by French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.
La Roja took the lead in the 25th minute through the unstoppable Fermin Lopez, who easily pushed the ball into the empty net after a favourable rebound. Three minutes later, Alex Baena extended the lead with a magnificent curling free-kick from outside the box (3-1). Late in the first half, France tried to come back into the game, but Mateta and Michael Olise both missed their chances, the Crystal Palace forward seeing his shot saved by Arnau Tenas, and the French number 7 sending his effort just wide of the left post.
Camello, France’s Great Executioner
At the start of the second half, Manu Kone saw his header hit the crossbar, then his powerful shot was saved by the Spanish goalkeeper. Les Bleuets reduced the gap on a shot from Olise deflected by Maghnes Akliouche, making the score 2-3. In the 81st minute, Kone tried his luck again, but his shot went wide. Six minutes later, it was Sergio Gomez who almost scored for Spain, his shot going just wide of the right post. In added time, France equalized with a penalty converted by Mateta after a foul by Juan Miranda on Arnaud Kalimuendo, who came on at the start of the second half in place of Alexandre Lacazette (3-3).
The two teams then played extra time. Spain regained the lead with a superb goal from Camello, who replaced Abel Ruiz ten minutes from the end of regulation time (4-3). Despite a push from the Tricolores, the Iberian defense held firm. At the end of extra time, Camello put the nail in the coffin with a final goal on the counter (5-3). The French team thus finished as silver medallists, concluding a nice run despite the defeat.
