Spain overcame a stunning comeback from France as Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to seal a 5-3 gold medal victory in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Enzo Millot got the opening goal for France in the 11th minute but Spain responded by scoring three goals in ten minutes. These included back-to-back strikes by Barcelona star Fermín López, who finished the tournament with six goals in as many games.
Villareal’s Alex Baena, who helped set up López’s earlier equalizer, scored a fine free-kick in their lightning-quick response after trailing Thierry Henry’s previously unbeaten outfit.
Spanish goalkeeper Arnau Tenas dove across the goalmouth to save a chance from Manu Koné minutes before France finally cut into Spain’s lead with a free kick from Maghnes Akliouche.
The host nation completed their comeback from a two-goal deficit in stoppage time as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored from a penalty to even the match at 3-3.
Substitute Sergio Camello was the hero for Spain by recovering the lead with a go-ahead goal in the 100th minute. The Rayo Vallecano striker then scored again in the final minutes of play to secure the Spain victory.
These two teams had previously clashed during the Euros finals in July, in which Spain claimed a 2-1 victory to advance to the final.
Despite the support of the home crowd, France’s attempted comeback fell short.
After the men’s senior team lifted the European Championships in July against England, their U-23 side suggested another generation of winners is ready to follow with their own victory in a dramatic final at Parc des Princes. It was the highest-scoring men’s football gold medal match since 1912.
The 17-year-old Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi became the youngest footballer to ever win a gold medal.
A day earlier, in the Women’s bronze medal playoff match, Alexia Putellas missed a stoppage time penalty as world champions Spain were beaten 1-0 by Germany in Lyon.
Ann-Katrin Berger dramatically saved from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner in the eighth minute of added time as 2016 winners Germany claimed the bronze for the fourth time since the sport was introduced to the Games in 1996.
A penalty from Giulia Gwinn had earlier given Germany the lead after the Bayern Munich player had been fouled by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll in the 64th minute.
The defeat compounded a disappointing week for pre-tournament favourites Spain, who suffered a surprise defeat to Brazil in their first-ever appearance at the Olympics in the semifinal on Tuesday.
