France defeats Egypt in extra time to secure Final spot in olympic football
LYON, FRANCE - AUGUST 05: Players of France celebrate during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 football match between France and Egypt at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France on August 05, 2024. (Photo by Fareed Kotb/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a thrilling semi-final at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, France overcame Egypt in extra time to secure their place in the Olympic football final. The match was a tightly contested affair, with the Pharaons putting up a strong fight against the Bleus.
Egypt, coached by Rogério Micale, dominated the first half, displaying greater initiative against a lackluster French side.
Both teams went into halftime with the score at 0-0. The breakthrough came for Egypt shortly after the hour mark, with Mahmoud Saber scoring in the 62nd minute following a well-executed team move.
Trailing 0-1, the French team, led by Thierry Henry, intensified their efforts. They came close to equalizing in the 75th minute, hitting both the post and the crossbar in quick succession.
Persistence paid off when Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in the 83rd minute, assisted by a superb through ball from Michael Olise.
The match remained deadlocked, leading to extra time. Egypt’s hopes dimmed early in the additional period as Omar Fayed received a second yellow card for a foul on Désiré Doué, reducing his team to ten men.
France capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Mateta scoring his second goal in the 99th minute. Olise sealed the victory with a powerful strike, making it 3-1.
With this win, France advances to the final, where they will face Spain on Friday at the Parc des Princes.
