Spain beat hosts France in highest-scoring Olympic final ever 🥇 | OneFootball

Spain won the gold medal in men’s Olympic football on Friday by beating France 5-3 after extra time in the highest-scoring Olympic final ever.

Scorers: Millot 11′, Akliouche 79′, Mateta 90+3 (P)’; López 18′, 25′, Baena 28′, Camello 100′, 120′

Two talented sides went head-to-head at the Parc des Princes, and La Roja’s determination prevailed to deny hosts France their glory in an eight-goal thriller.

But it wasn’t Spain who were smiling first. France grabbed the lead when goalkeeper Arnau Tenas punched a powerful shot from Enzo Millot into his own net.

That lead wouldn’t last long, though, as Barcelona youngster Fermín López made the Olympic stage his own. The 21-year-old equalised with a low drive before redirecting another into the net at the back post for six goals in six games.

Spain then made it three unanswered goals when Álex Baena scored a stunning free-kick into the top left corner to add to his earlier assist.

It meant Les Bleus became the second team to concede thrice in the first half of a men’s Olympic final (Denmark, 1912).

Thierry Henry’s men turned up the pressure in the second half and controlled most of the play. Subsequently, the tale of two halves led to a thrilling end in this Olympic final.

Continuous attempts from lively duo Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta fell short, while Manu Koné’s powerful shot was pushed away by a revitalized Tenas.

Spain were on their heels and a deflection saw Maghnes Akliouche turn things 3-2 with about 10 minutes to go in regulation time. Then in the dying moments La Roja almost created their own downfall.

VAR awarded a 90th-minute penalty after a rugby-style tackle from Beñat Turrientes in the box. Mateta, ice cold, stepped up and scored to push things into extra-time.

The once deafening Parc des Princes ultimately fell silent as substitute Sergio Camello was played into the box and chipped goalkeeper Guillaume Restes for 4-3.

France pushed for another equaliser, but the game was put to bed when goalkeeper Tenas assisted Camello with a long throw and he converted a second to secure Spain the gold.