Spain clinched their second Olympic gold medal in Men’s Football on Friday night, defeating host nation France 5-3 in extra time in a match that will be remembered as a classic.
Sergio Camello was the hero for Spain, coming off the bench to score two decisive goals in extra time to secure La Roja’s first Olympic football gold since the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
Camello’s brilliance capped off a dramatic contest that saw Spain recover from an early deficit, build a commanding lead, and then withstand a fierce French comeback before emerging victorious.
France, under the management of Thierry Henry, drew first blood in the 11th minute through Enzo Millot, who capitalised on a defensive error by Spain’s Alex Baena.
However, Santi Denia’s Spain responded with authority, with Fermin Lopez equalising just seven minutes later.
Lopez then scored his second of the night after latching onto a rebound, putting Spain ahead 2-1.
Alex Baena made amends for his earlier mistake by adding a third with a sublime free-kick, leaving French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes stranded.
Despite trailing 3-1 at halftime, France refused to capitulate. They clawed their way back into the game in the second half, with Michael Olise’s deflected free-kick in the 79th minute cutting Spain’s lead to 3-2.
The home crowd erupted in the dying moments of regulation time when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty after Arnaud Kalimuendo was fouled, leveling the score at 3-3 and forcing the match into extra time.
In extra time, Camello, who had only been added to the squad as a standby, emerged as Spain’s saviour.
The Rayo Vallecano forward scored a stunning goal, delicately chipping the ball over Restes to restore Spain’s lead.
He then sealed the win with a second strike, an almost identical finish, ensuring Spain’s victory and leaving the French supporters heartbroken.
Spain’s triumph in Paris marks their second Olympic gold in men’s football, following their victory at the Barcelona 1992 Games, where legends like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique led the team to glory.
This latest victory is part of a golden era for Spanish football, coming just a month after the senior men’s team won the UEFA European Championship in Germany.
In the last 15 months, Spain has amassed seven major international honours across men’s and women’s football, including the Women’s World Cup and the Men’s Nations League.
For France, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after their spirited comeback. It marks the second time they have fallen short of Olympic gold since their victory in Los Angeles 40 years ago.
Despite the loss, Henry’s team can take solace in their resilience and the silver medal they earned on home soil.
