Paris 2024 Olympics: France beats Argentina to qualify for men’s football semifinal

Despite Michael Olise’s late goal being chalked out for a foul in the build-up, the host country kept its calm to see through the ten minutes of stoppage time and seal progression.

Jean-Philippe Mateta of France celebrates scoring their first goal against Argentina in the Men’s Quarterfinal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal as France won 1-0 in its grudge match with Argentina on Friday to reach the Olympic men’s football semifinals, joining Spain, Morocco and Egypt in the last four.

Crystal Palace striker Mateta struck five minutes into the quarterfinal in Bordeaux, meeting Michael Olise’s corner with a superb near-post header.

That proved enough for the host, coached by Thierry Henry, to reach the last four and stay in contention to win gold in Paris next Friday, August 9.

Players Team Argentina and Team France clash after the Men’s Quarterfinal match at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

RELATED | Follow the highlights of the France vs Argentina quarterfinal

It was the first meeting of the nations since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about their French counterparts as they celebrated winning the Copa America in mid-July.

FIFA announced it would investigate the chants, which targeted France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and included racist and homophobic insults.

The Argentina team were met with a hostile welcome in Bordeaux, where the crowd loudly jeered their national anthem as the sides also met for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final which the South Americans won on penalties.

Thierry Henry, head coach of France, looks on during the Men’s Quarterfinal match between France and Argentina | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Tensions also spilled over at full-time with rival players and staff clashing on the pitch and confrontations continuing down the tunnel.

Henry said midfielder Enzo Millot, who had been substituted late on, was shown a red card after the final whistle.

“He wasn’t on the pitch. Maybe you get sent off because you get a second yellow card to stop someone running through on goal, not when you are on the bench. I am really not happy about that,” Henry told broadcaster France 3.

Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez missed chances for Javier Mascherano’s Argentina, and the exit of the two-time gold medallist means the winner of men’s football gold will not come from Latin America for the first time since Cameroon triumphed in Sydney in 2000.

France could have won by a wider margin, but Olise had a late second goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.