France U23 3 – 5 Spain U23

Spain defeated France 5-3 after extra time in an epic Olympic final to take the gold medal in Paris.

Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta drew level for Thierry Henry’s France in dramatic fashion with a penalty in regulation time, as the home side came back from 3-1 down to force an extra 30 minutes at the Parc des Princes.

But Spanish supersub Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to give his country further glory after winning Euro 2024 in Germany.

It all started so well for France, with Spain goalkeeper Arnau Tenas providing the opening goal when he deflected an Enzo Millot shot through his hands and into the net.

But Spain’s response was astonishing, with Fermin Lopez scoring twice and Alex Baena firing in a free-kick after ten minutes that seemed to blow France away.

Henry’s team showed great character, however, forcing Tenas into stunning saves to keep out Mateta and Manu Kone, who also headed against the bar. And that persistence finally paid off with 11 minutes left in regulation time when Maghnes Akliouche tapped home Michael Olise’s free-kick to ignite the atmosphere in the French capital.

And there was VAR drama in injury time, with referee Ramon Abatti pointing to the spot after seeing Benat Turrientes wrestle Arnaud Kalimuendo to the ground at a corner. Mateta kept his composure and levelled the match.

Turrientes still had time to hit the crossbar, but in the end it was Spain who prevailed in extra time. The silver medal winners from Tokyo were able to withstand the pressure from the French, but after a fine pass from Adrian Bernabe Camello regained the lead. A breakout gave Spain their first Olympic title since the home games in Barcelona in 1992.

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