Thierry Henry, the coach of the French Olympic soccer team, held back his tears.
France lost 5-3 to Spain in the men's soccer final at the 2024 Paris Olympics at Parc des Princes on the 10th (Korea time). The two teams were 3-3 in the first 90 minutes of the second half. Spain's Sergio Kameyo scored two goals in extra time to determine the winner. France challenged for the first time in 100 years at the Olympics at home. I couldn't achieve my goal. Spain, on the other hand, has won the gold medal for the first time in 32 years since the 1992 Barcelona Games in their country.
France aimed to win its first championship in 40 years since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. In Group A, he advanced to the tournament as No. 1 in the group, beating the U.S. (3-0), Guinea (1-0), and New Zealand (3-0). In the quarterfinals, the team beat Argentina 1-0 with 'nemesis'. In the semifinals, they defeated Egypt 3-1 and settled on the final stage.
Photo = AFP Yonhap News
Photo = AFP Yonhap News
Photo = AFP Yonhap News
The atmosphere was good. France scored the first goal in the 11th minute of the first half in front of 48,000 spectators. Enzomillo's toes flashed. As the ball flowed from the right side of the goal area, Miyo boldly fired a left-footed shot even though it was a square. Spain goalkeeper Arnaud Tenas' mistake in judgment was added, leading to a goal.
Spain immediately brought the game back to square one. In the 18th minute of the first half, Fermin López finished Alex Baena's forward pass with a right-footed non-stop shot to equalize. López shot the goalkeeper's ball again seven minutes later to complete a 2-1 turnaround. On top of that, in the 28th minute of the first half, Baena scored a right-footed free-kick goal from the left side of the penalty arc that exquisitely crossed the opponent's defensive wall and headed to the corner of the net. Spain cheered by scoring three goals in just 10 minutes from the 18th minute of the first half.
France did not back down. In the 34th minute of the second half, Manes Akhilush went after the low free-kick cross from the right with a shot that only changed the direction. In the 44th minute of the second half, Arnaud Calimuendo got a penalty kick from Spanish side defender Juan Miranda. As a kicker, 'Wild Card' (players over 24 years old) Jean-Philippe Mateta stepped up. He calmly succeeded and brought the game back to square one.
The game was extended. France will play their second consecutive extended match following the semi-final against Egypt. Spain ran the game a little more stably. In the 10th minute of extra time, Cameyo, who received Adrian Bernabe's forward pass, scored with an exquisite chip shot over the goalkeeper's height. Cameyo, who was in the mood, scored a net goal with a counterattack in the second half of extra time. Spain came to an end of their victory.
Photo = AFP Yonhap News
Photo = AFP Yonhap News
The British media Mirror reported that Henri's heartbreaking reaction to the Olympics drew attention. France suffered a loss to Spain. He won the 1998 World Cup final in Paris, France. However, he had to be satisfied with the silver medal in the event."
Meanwhile, according to Beane Sports, Henry praised the squad despite the defeat. Director Henri said "It was magic. I am proud of them. We won a medal at the end. Of course this is not the way we wanted to. But the story is surprising. I think everyone enjoyed it. It didn't end well, but it was a beautiful journey with emotion, a medal, and a beautiful journey. We are a beautiful country when we are together. It's hard to celebrate this medal, but we have to. There was an amazing human journey, a story."
