Discover how France made history by reaching its first Olympic football final in 40 years. Explore the journey, key players, and unforgettable moments.
Introduction
The Paris 2024 Olympics have given us an exciting men’s football tournament, and it has finally reached its ending, where France booked their place in the final following a nervy 3-1 extra-time win over Egypt. This will be the first time France has made it to the Olympic finals in four decades, setting up a mouthwatering final against Spain for the gold medal. In this comprehensive article, we shall explore the details of this historic fixture—key moments and what all it means going into the final.
See also: Spain’s Thrilling 2-1 Comeback Against Morocco to Reach Final
France’s Route to the Final
Bouncing Back from Early Stumbles: France’s quest for the Olympic final has been nothing short of exceptional. Though it had a dropping start in their semi-final battle with Egypt, in which it conceded the first goal of the tournament, it showed aplomb and grit. A goal by Mahmoud Saber handed Egypt an early lead and left both the French team and its fans stunned.

Turning Point: Mateta Turns into Hero
It is Jean-Philippe Mateta who turned out to be the savior for France, drawing level with a very important goal well into the second half. The strike rejuvenated the French team and the fans in the stands, setting up what turned out to be a frenetic period of extra time. In the 99th minute, towering well above everyone else, Mateta’s header tipped France ahead, and another goal by Michael Olise sealed the deal.
See also: Brazil Women’s Thrilling 4-2 Victory Over Spain: Through to Soccer Final

Key Moments of the Match
First Half: Egypt in control
In the first half, Egypt created a lot of pressure on France—on average, more shots at goal had been taken, coupled with some nice defensive performance. However, through their experienced defenders, France stood firm to see the score level at halftime.
See also: Manchester City Wins 2024 Community Shield After Dramatic 7-6 Penalty Shootout

Second Half: Dramatic Turn of Events
The second half was a turn of mammoth proportion in favor of the second half. In the 62nd minute, Mahmoud Saber netted for Egypt, capitalizing on a rebound, putting France on the back foot. However, a late Mateta equaliser, following up a precise pass from Olise, ensured that the game would go into extra time.

Extra Time: France through with Determination
This was dashed early in extra time, as Omar Fayed of Egypt received his second yellow card, thereby reducing his side to ten men. France made full use of that by scoring through Mateta, bagging his second goal of the night. Just a few minutes later, Olise struck again—dashing any hopes of a comeback—as France made it into the finals.
Henry’s View
France head coach Thierry Henry was full of praise for the fighting spirit of his players and their fans. “What a night! All credit to the players. Egypt were really good today, but we never stopped going after the win, and the fans pushed us forward,” said Henry. He said getting one medal is an important step but not the ultimate—winning the gold.

The Final: Looking Ahead to Face Spain
How Spain Made Their Way to the Final: What has been no less breathtaking journey for Spain, they made it through to the final by beating Morocco 2-1 in their semi-final encounter. Thus, this final will be a pulsating affair between France and Spain, as both are full of talented individuals who have shown great resolve throughout this tournament.
Key Players to Watch
The crucial players to be in the final for France will be Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise because of great performances given in the semis. On the other hand, Spain will again bank on its well-disciplined defense and creative midfield against the French side.
Historical Significance
French Quest for Second Olympic Title: France is on the verge of clinching a second Olympic football title, its first since 1984. This would be a victory of great proportion to the team and the nation, sure to mark a glorious return to Olympic football’s pinnacle.
Egypt in Pursuit of Bronze
Despite their defeat, Egypt can go as far as winning a bronze medal against Morocco. This is likely to be the biggest achievement that the Egyptian team will have pulled off following its great performance throughout the competition.
Conclusion: France made history
So far, the Olympic men’s football tournament in Paris 2024 has maintained the best value and entertainment with its bundle of talent, fighting spirit, and intriguing games. It places France in a historic final against Spain after their sensational win against Egypt in the semi-finals. While we look forward to the final, let us mark out for the two teams in their incredible journey taken so far and the anticipation to witness a truly memorable ending of this highly esteemed event.