Jean-Philippe Mateta was the hero for France as they overcame a resilient 10-man Egypt to secure a 3-1 victory after extra time, earning a place in the final of the men’s Olympic football competition. This victory guarantees France their first medal in the tournament in 40 years.
Thierry Henry’s squad will face Spain in the much-anticipated final at the Parc des Princes on Friday (17:00 BST).
Egypt initially took the lead with Mahmoud Saber scoring from close range, silencing the home crowd in Lyon. The French side struggled to find an equalizer until the dying moments of regulation time when Mateta, 27, struck a crucial goal from Michael Olise’s precise pass, leveling the score and sending the match into extra time.
The turning point came when Egyptian defender Omar Fayed was shown a second yellow card and subsequently sent off. His first booking was for dissent during a controversial moment in second-half stoppage time when a French penalty appeal was overturned by VAR.
With a numerical advantage, France capitalized quickly. Mateta headed in his second goal of the night just nine minutes into extra time, putting the hosts in the lead. Crystal Palace forward Olise then sealed the victory with a goal of his own, ensuring France’s spot in the final.
Egypt, now set to play Morocco in the bronze-medal match on Thursday (16:00) in Nantes, showed commendable resilience throughout the match. However, their efforts fell short against a determined French team led by Mateta’s inspiring performance.
This victory not only propels France into the final but also marks a significant achievement for Henry’s team, as they secure a historic Olympic medal for the first time in four decades. Fans eagerly await the final clash against Spain, hoping for a memorable conclusion to an already thrilling tournament.
