At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Spain secured the gold medal in men’s football with a dramatic 5-3 victory over hosts France. The thrilling final, held at the Parc des Princes on Friday, saw Spain's Sergio Camello emerge as the hero, scoring twice in extra time to clinch the win.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions. France fought back from a 3-1 deficit to equalize, sending the game into extra time. Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty in the third minute of stoppage time completed the comeback and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
In extra time, Camello took center stage. He scored his first goal in the 100th minute, lifting the ball over French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, and then struck again in the first minute of additional time, sealing Spain’s victory.
The win was particularly sweet for Spain, which had lost to Brazil in the final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It also marked the first time a European team had won gold in men’s soccer since Spain's last victory at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Spain's triumph was part of a golden summer for Spanish soccer, following the senior team's victory in the European Championship last month. The squad included Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, both of whom had also contributed to Spain's Euro 2024 success. Lopez scored twice, and Baena added another goal during a blistering first-half performance that gave Spain a 3-1 lead. Enzo Millot had initially put France ahead.
Despite the intense pressure from the home fans and France’s late rally, including goals from Maghnes Akliouche and Mateta's penalty, Spain held firm. The final moments saw Camello's late goals spark wild celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
French coach Thierry Henry expressed pride in his team's performance despite falling short of gold. "It was a crazy final, at the end we got a medal," he said. "Unfortunately, we are not Olympic champions but you can’t take anything away from this team.”
Camello’s second goal, a memorable solo effort, was the highlight of the match and ignited jubilant scenes among the Spanish team. His impact as a late substitute turned him into a national hero, ending Latin American dominance in Olympic football that had persisted through Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico over the last five editions.
The victory not only capped a successful campaign for Spain but also reasserted the nation's prominence in international football.
