The men’s Olympic soccer champion will be European. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice as hosts France advanced to the final of the men’s tournament by beating Egypt 3-1 after extra time on Monday outside Lyon.
France will face Spain in Friday’s final at the Parc des Princes in Paris, a match that ensures there will be a European gold medallist for the first time in 32 years. “It was an amazing night,” Mateta said.
Earlier in the day in Marseille, Juanlu Sanchez came off the bench to lead Spain to a record fifth Olympic final. Sanchez scored in the 85th minute to seal a 2-1 victory over Morocco.
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Both finalists had to come from behind against rivals from North Africa.
The hosts managed to turn the score around after the Egyptians took the lead in the 62nd minute through Mahmoud Saber’s goal.
France hit the post three times before Mateta leveled in the 83rd minute to send the match into extra time.
His second goal of the night came in the 99th minute shortly after Egypt’s Omar Fayed was sent off for a second yellow card.
Michael Olise scored France’s third in the 108th minute.
“It was a torture. We knew it, but we never gave up,” said France coach Thierry Henry. “We never stopped creating danger on the wings, we kept trying and in the end, we got our reward.”
It will be the first gold medal won by a European team since Spain won at home in Barcelona in 1992.
It also marks the end of the dominance of Latin American teams who have celebrated on the top step of the podium in the last five editions of the Games: Argentina and Brazil have done so twice each, while Mexico did so in London 2012.
The final is a chance for Henry to add another title to his already glittering list of honors. He was a world and European champion as a player for France, as well as having exploits at club level with Arsenal and Barcelona.
This would be his first consecration in a budding career as a coach.
France’s only gold medal in men’s football dates back to Los Angeles in 1984. They also won silver when the Games were held in Paris in 1900.
Spain lost to Brazil in the final of the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Let’s keep the good streak going
In addition to seeking to make amends, Spain’s Under-23s are also looking to win another trophy in a sensational year their senior team won the European Championship last month, beating England in the final.
Morocco went 1-0 up at the break after tournament top scorer Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty in the 37th.
Spain equalized in the 65th minute after Fermin Lopez fired a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner. It was the Barcelona midfielder’s fourth goal of the tournament and his celebrations earned him a yellow card after he kicked the corner flag and broke it in two.
“I think my goal changed the game a little bit and I think it was a great game from the whole team and we deserved it,” Lopez said. Lopez assisted Sanchez in the winning goal.
“I’m very happy,” said Sanchez. “I’m going to rest and recover because in four days we have a very good match.”
For Morocco, it was another painful elimination in the semi-final of a major tournament.
Morocco made history by becoming the first Arab and African nation to qualify for the semi-finals of a World Cup, Qatar 2022. They finished fourth then and now must fight for bronze.
In a packed stadium, Morocco had the chance to spring another surprise at the Games after beating Argentina in the group stage. But they were unable to hold on to their fast lead.
