Spain win the Olympic gold medal beating France 5-3 in the final

Spain’s extraordinary run of success on the international stage continued as they claimed gold at the Olympics, beating hosts France 5-3 in a thrilling final showdown.

The gold medal match kicked off with a bang, witnessing four goals within the first 28 minutes. Enzo Millot’s effort managed to find its way past Arnau Tenas, but Fermin Lopez quickly answered with two goals in seven minutes, turning the tides in Spain’s favor. Alex Baena further extended Spain’s lead to 3-1 with a sublime free-kick.

However, France’s resilience shone through in the second half as they forced three impressive stops from Tenas and eventually found a breakthrough with a goal from Maghnes Akliouche. The tension escalated as Benat Turrientes fouled Arnaud Kalimuendo inside the penalty area, leading to Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta calmly converting the penalty and sending the match into extra time.

Amidst the momentum favoring France, Sergio Camello stunned the crowd by scoring twice in extra time for Spain, securing a 5-3 victory and the gold medal. This triumph marks another glorious chapter in Spain’s dominant era of football, adding to their collection of titles across various international competitions.

The standout performance of Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez throughout the Olympics did not go unnoticed, as the 21-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in Spain’s gold medal victory. Lopez’s exceptional movement and clinical finishing were evident in his two goals during the final match, showcasing his promising potential for the future.

On the other hand, the French side, led by Thierry Henry, faced challenges with their defensive struggles and missed opportunities to capitalize on their momentum and home crowd support. The match highlighted the need for strategic adjustments, leaving room for reflection on their approach.

As the players shift their focus to their respective clubs and the upcoming 2024-25 season, they will also set their sights on potential call-ups for the Nations League, with Spain aiming to defend their championship title.