Joe
In an exhilarating Olympic final, Spain’s U23 team emerged victorious, defeating hosts France 5-3 after extra time to claim the gold medal.
This triumph caps off a golden summer for Spanish football, adding another major title to their already impressive collection.
The match, held at the Parc des Princes, began with a flurry of goals. France’s Enzo Millot opened the scoring, but Spain quickly responded. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, who has been a standout throughout the tournament, scored twice within seven minutes, turning the game in Spain’s favor. Alex Baena further extended Spain’s lead with a masterful free-kick, making it 3-1 by the 28th minute.
France, however, refused to back down. In the second half, they put relentless pressure on Spain, with goalkeeper Arnau Tenas making several crucial saves. Maghnes Akliouche reignited French hopes by scoring from a Michael Olise free-kick in the 78th minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With just minutes remaining, Benat Turrientes fouled Arnaud Kalimuendo in the penalty area, leading to a penalty for France. Jean-Philippe Mateta calmly converted, sending the match into extra time.
Despite France’s momentum, it was Spain who struck next. Sergio Camello scored in the first half of extra time, putting Spain ahead 4-3. France’s efforts to equalize were in vain, and Camello sealed the victory with a second goal in the 121st minute, securing the gold for Spain.
This victory continues Spain’s remarkable dominance on the international stage. The country now holds titles in the men’s Euros, women’s World Cup, men’s and women’s Nations League, under-19 Euros for both genders, and now the men’s Olympic gold.
Fermin Lopez, who scored six goals throughout the tournament, was instrumental in Spain’s success. The 21-year-old midfielder’s performances have marked him as a rising star, with a bright future ahead.
For France, the loss was a bitter disappointment, especially for coach Thierry Henry, who may rue his decisions in a match that saw Spain exploit France’s defensive weaknesses.
Despite their second-half resurgence, France was unable to capitalize fully on their opportunities, leaving them with a silver medal and a sense of what might have been.
