Crystal Palace’s forward Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice as France came from behind to beat Egypt 3-1 after extra time and set up an Olympic men’s football final against Spain, who had earlier beaten Morocco.
Mahmoud Saber put Egypt ahead in the 62nd minute and French frustrations grew as they hit the frame of the goal three times before Mateta brought them level in the 83rd minute to force extra time.
Egypt were soon reduced to 10 men as Omar Fayed committed a second bookable offence, and Mateta capitalised to head France in front before Michael Olise swept home a third goal in the 108th minute.
While this will be the first time gold in the men’s tournament has been won by a European team since Spain’s victory at Barcelona 1992, it also ends the dominance of Latin American nations after the last five editions of the tournament saw victories for Brazil and Argentina – two each – and Mexico.
It also gives France’s Olympic coach, Thierry Henry, the chance to add to his storied career, having won the World Cup and European Championship with France as a player. This would be his first major honour in a coaching career that is still early in its development.
France’s only men’s Olympic gold came at Los Angeles 1984 and the nation also took silver when the Games were held in Paris in 1900.
Juanlu Sánchez came off the bench to fire Spain to a record-equalling fifth Olympic men’s final. His goal, in the 85th minute in Marseille, sealed a 2-1 win over their Moroccan opponents.
“The moment passed so fast that I didn’t even realise it, but then when you realised that you scored the goal that puts your team in the final, I’m really happy,” Sánchez said.
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Morocco led 1-0 at half-time after the tournament’s leading scorer, Soufiane Rahimi, converted a penalty in the 37th minute. Spain levelled in the 65th minute when Fermín López showed quick feet in the box and hit a left-footed shot low in the bottom corner. The Barcelona midfielder then provided the assist that set up Sánchez to sweep his winning goal into the net.
“I think that my goal changed a bit the match, and I think it was a great match for the whole team and we deserved it,” López said. “And here we are.”
