Hosts France came from behind late to beat Egypt to set up an Olympic final with Spain on Friday. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice and Michael Olise also scored as France needed extra time to see off Egypt. Thierry Henry’s team fell behind in the first half, but came back brilliantly to win. Mateta has four goals in the tournament and continues his good form.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a brace as France came from behind to beat Egypt and progress to the Paris 2024 Olympic football final on Friday, where they will meet Spain at the Parc des Princes.
Despite falling behind with 10 minutes to go, Mateta’s magnificent brace saw the hosts avoid a shock defeat.
Michael Olise finished the game in extra time, scoring France’s third goal of the match to ensure they went past Egypt. The ball fell to the Bayern Munich forward in the box after some great work from Desire Doue, and he fired past Hamza Alaa to send the delighted French crowd into celebration.
For Mateta’s second, Olisea’s corner was headed across goal by Kilian Sildili, before Mateta scored his fourth goal of the tournament.
Thierry Henry’s side made life miserable for themselves, missing chance after chance before Mateta equalized with his third goal in as many games.
Again, the same combination of Mateta and Olise as against Argentina, and Olise played in the attack of Crystal Palace, who did not make a mistake in the finish.
Mateta missed a great chance in the 64th minute, as Alaa made a heroic save from a header from close range. However, the French striker did not want to miss a second chance on goal.
Dou changed the game when he came on in the 76th minute, creating chaos on France’s left.
MAN OF THE MATCH – JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA (FRANCE)
The Crystal Palace striker produced a brace to ensure France booked their place in Friday’s final against Spain.
Mateta scored a great equalizer after Olise put him in the back.
The French striker then scored the winner in extra time, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.
Highlights of the match
62′ GOAL! FRANCE 0 EGYPT 1 (SABER): Saber sees his initial shot blocked, before smashing the ball into the back of the net with ferocious power.
It’s the first real chance of the game for Egypt, but Saber produced a brilliant clinical finish.
83! GOAL! FRANCE 1 (MATETA) EGYPT 1: Mateta plays in behind former Palace team-mate Olisse and fires the ball past the keeper to equalize for France, much to the delight of the home crowd.
90+7′ VAR DECISION WITHOUT PENALTY! (FRANCE): France were denied a last-gasp penalty after an extremely long review. Omar Fayed appeared to be holding the ball, but the referee judged that Bade had fouled him and decided that there would be no penalty.
92 ET’ RED CARD! (FAJED): Fayed received a second yellow card just moments into extra time, for a foul on the electric Dou. The Egyptian defender received his first yellow card at the end of normal time for objecting to the referee during a VAR review.
99 ET’ GOAL! FRANCE 2 (MATETA) EGYPT 1: Mateta puts France ahead in extra time. The Palace striker latched on to Sildilia’s header across the penalty area and nodded past Alaa.
If the game stays like this, France will have a chance for gold on Friday.
108 ET’ GOAL! FRANCE 3 (OLIZ) EGYPT 1: Olise finishes the match with an excellent finish into the bottom corner, from inside the box.
France deservedly won, and Olisse was excellent.