The France national team is in the Final of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after defeating Egypt in the semifinals during extra time.
The first half was very tight and lacked clear opportunities on both sides of the field. It wasn’t until the second half, especially in the final stretch, that the match took on dramatic tones following the goal from Egyptian Mahmoud Saber in the 62nd minute.
Saber received the ball in the penalty area and shot, but he reacted quickly to the rebound delivered by the defenders and after a feint managed to unleash a powerful shot with his right foot that beat goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.
It was then that France woke up from its slumber of more than 45 minutes and in 120 seconds threatened to tie the game with a great team play that Jean-Philippe Mateta capped off with a diving header, forcing goalkeeper Alaa Hamza to make a dramatic one-handed save and send the ball to a corner.
The French would come close three more times, especially from set pieces where they hit the post and crossbar in the same play. Egypt’s luck was running out, and with less than 10 minutes left, France found Mateta entering the area to score and equalize the match, forcing extra time.
In just one minute of the first extra time, Egypt suffered the expulsion of Omar Fayed for two yellow cards, and the outlook began to look complicated. Eight minutes later, Mateta completed his brace with a header after a great cross from Kiliann Sildillia. Michael Olise would take care of the final 3-1 in the second and last extra time.
France will face Spain in the gold medal Final at Paris 2024, which they haven’t won since that distant triumph over Brazil in the Los Angeles 84 Olympic Games.