August 09, (THEWILL) – Spain claimed their second Olympic football gold medal, defeating France 5-3 in extra time during a thrilling final at the 2024 Paris Games. The match was tense from the start, with both teams showing nerves befitting the occasion.
France took an early lead through Enzo Millot, but Spain quickly responded. Fermin Lopez equalised before putting his team ahead, while Alex Baena added a third. France fought back in the second half, with goals from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta forcing extra time.
In the additional period, Sergio Camello emerged as the hero for Spain. The 23-year-old, initially on the standby list, scored two clever chips to seal victory. His goals ensured Spain repeated their 1992 success, when they won gold on home soil in Barcelona.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with momentum swinging between the teams. Spain dominated the first half, while France showed great determination to level the score. However, Spain’s extra-time performance proved decisive.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Spanish football, adding to their recent successes in international tournaments. For France, it was a disappointing end to their home Olympics, but their silver medal still represents a strong showing.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
