Only one win away. France is on the brink of the first gold medal in football since the title won at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Thierry Henry’s Les Bleus managed to secure their place in the final after an expected win over Egypt. And sure, they were huge favorites and the win came (as expected), but only after a huge fight, many, many, missed chances, a red card and two goals in injury time: France – Egypt 3-1.𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐒 𝐉𝐄𝐔𝐗 𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒 🇫🇷😍🔥Les Bleus l’emportent 1-0 contre l’Égypte en demie ! Le rêve continue 🥇🤩🇫🇷3-1🇪🇬 | #FRAEGY | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/CEoTZB9JJz— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) August 5, 2024 The hosts were the favorites of the tournament from the very first game and they proved it on the pitch by securing victories against the USA (3-0), Guinea (1-0), New Zealand (3-0), and Argentina (1-0). Tonight they allowed their first goal in these Olympic games, but that one nearly proved to be fatal. In the end, former Crystal Palace teammates Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise combined for one assist and three goals, two of which came in injury time, when Fayed received his second yellow card. Egypt only had experienced former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny in their ranks but still managed to sneak a goal. Their whole tactics looked like the one from Afcon 2022 – strong defense and it nearly worked this time, Off course, France did much of the hard work themselves, but hitting the bar (twice) and the post (once) and by missing a couple more chances. France U23 vs Egypt U23 [3]-1All Goals Scored✨ pic.twitter.com/0egWPMay6e— 曼联球迷 (@utdbaki) August 5, 2024 Truffert forced a Egypt goalkeeper‘s save after only four minutes into the game, as France started with full force, but their attack mostly went off target. Egyptian had their semi-chance in the 27th minute when Faisal was not far from finishing with a small cross back, but was blocked. Seville‘s Loic Bade had the best chance for the hosts in the first half when his header ended on the Egyptian goalkeeper’s post, and he will repeat that late in the game. Olise opened the second half with a chance, but his shot was saved by Hamza Alaa. And then Lacazzete missed the impossible in the 60th minute. The ball came back to his feet just a few meters from the goal, and former Arsenal striker tried a left-footed shot and missed the target. The punishment came just minutes after. There was too much space in the French defense. Saber was able to strike a first time, be blocked, recover the ball and then deceive Restes with a powerful strike under the bar. Lyon crowd was silenced. Alaa was forced to save againt after a Mateta header in the 64th minute, after which Bade stroke his second post. In the same play action, Lacazette hit the bar. And then, in the 83rd minute, a relief came. Former Crystal Palace teammates Olise and Mateta combined for the equalizer and overtime. 🇪🇸 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗦. 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 🇫🇷The Olympics men’s football final is set 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Oi2eACV4EU— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 5, 2024 The Egyptian defender touched the ball with his hand in injury time, but VAR decided that he was pushed by Bade, so there was no penalty. As soon as the injury time started, Fayed fouled Doue. This was his second yellow card as he got the first one in injury time, after complaining to the referee. After that is was just a matter of time when the hosts will score, which they eventually did twice and will now play for gold with Spain. OLYMPIC GAMES – FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTSemi-finalsMondayMorocco – Spain 1-2 (1-0)/Rahimi (p) 37 – Fermin 65, Junalu 85/France – Egypt 1-1 (0-0) 3-1 overtime/Mateta 83, 99, Olise 106 – Saber 62/
