France v Argentina -final
22:20 MATETA’S HEADER SENDS FRANCE INTO SEMI-FINAL
Jean-Philippe Mateta sent host nation France into the Olympic Games semi-final with his fifth minute header knocking out Argentina.
Thierry Henry’s side started with a burst and then controlled proceedings limiting a lively Argentine forward line to limited chances.
France thought they had settled the tie with six minutes remaining with Michael Olise scoring after providing an assist for the opener.
However, VAR ruled out the second goal to the disbelief of French fans for an apparent foul in the build-up.
Despite Argentina throwing men forward and substitute Luciano Gondou blazing a glorious chance over France held on for a one-goal victory.
Tension between the two nations was evident from before kick-off and boiled over after the full-time whistle with pushing on the pitch followed by an altercation down the playing tunnel.
Despite riding their luck against a wasteful Argentina side France head into the semi-final having not conceded a goal in their four tournament matches.
France face Egypt in the semi-final on Monday at the Stade de Marseille.
Argentina will be left rueing a missed opportunity to move into the final four after chances were scuppered by talisman Julian Alvarez.
22:03 IT’S MAYHEM IN THE TUNNEL
Every player and coaching staff member sprint down the tunnel as the pushing on the pitch has boiled over.
There was tension from before kick-off and it’s well and truly boiled over at full-time.
90+12′ FULL-TIME
It’s mayhem but France are through. There is a huge melee on the pitch with all players involved and coaching staff. Moments before the full-time whistle Mateta rattled the bar in an off-side position.
90+9’ GONDOU HAS GLORIOUS CHANCE
The ball falls inside the box for substitute Gondou who has to test the goalkeeper. However, his effort is blazed over the bar.
90+8′ MAGASSA BOOKED AFTER SECONDS
French substitute Magassa is booked seconds after coming on following a foul on Simeone. The resulting free-kick results in an off-side decision just after Olise made an excellent clearance.
90+5′ TWO ARGENTINA CHANCES
Argentina have time on their side. However, substitute Echeverri tries his luck from miles out but it’s easily saved.
Moments later Gondou does find space and fires low from a narrow angle which is saved by Restes. France make a final change as Millot comes off for Magassa.
90’ OFF THE BAR
A free-kick into the box into the Argentina box is headed off the crossbar amongst the mayhem.
Ten minutes are added on and Argentina make two changes: Medina is taken off for Echeverri; Garcia is taken off for Lujan.
84’ VAR RULES OUT GOAL
The referee looks at a foul by Akliouche who bundled the ball past the Argentina defender inside the box.
There was no complaint at all by Argentina at the time. It’s an unbelievable decision to rule out the goal and Akliouche is booked.
84′ GOAL! FRANCE 2 (OLISE) ARGENTINA 0
A fine piece of battling play out wide by France results in the ball coming in for Akliouche and then Olise whose deflected effort flies into the net.
83’ GARCIA ALSO GIVEN YELLOW
With fresh legs Akliouche nips the ball away from Garcia who leaves a leg in with a tired tackle
80’ LACAZETTE DEPARTS
France have made a double change as they bring on some fresh legs for these final ten minutes. Chotard makes way for Akliouche, Lacazette is taken off for Kalimuendo
75’ BADE IS HYPED FOR THIS ONE
France defender Bade is well up for this one as he shields his opponent off the ball and then screams in his face. Substitute Soler is replaced for Gondou as Argentina try another option.
71’ BELTRAN MISSES KILLER CROSS
There is more good play by Argentina who have more than matched their opposition. However, Beltran’s cross is a poor one and the chance has gone.
68’ MATETA HEADS OVER
Almost an exact replica of the opening goal as Olise’s corner is met at the front post by Mateta. However, this time the forward’s header flies over the crossbar.
66’ GOLDEN CHANCE FOR ALVAREZ
France fall asleep at the back and a nice ball into the feet of Alvarez allows the Man City man through on goal. However, he rushes his angled finish which flies wide.
63’ FRANCE SLOW GAME DOWN
France are yet to concede a goal in their opening three matches of this tournament and are looking to kill this match off.
Argentina need to find a way through and bring on Beltran for Zenon. Meanwhile, Truffert is injured for France is and replaced by Locko.
58’ ALVAREZ EFFORT AT GOAL
Argentina are trying to pass the ball into the net. The ball is played out nicely for Alvarez who has a tame effort at goal as goalkeeper Restes easily saves.
56’ DOUBLE BOOKING FOR ARGENTINA
Argentina boss Javier Mascherano is incensed by a decision and is booked for his outburst. The referee has also booked Argentina substitute Beltran for something he said.
The game is one bad challenge away from really blowing up.
52’ TOO CASUAL BY FRANCE
A good break by France results in Kone driving at the defence. He finds Chotard out wide, but his ball is too casual and easily gathered by goalkeeper Rulli.
Meanwhile, Medina is the latest player to receive a booking.
49’ FRANCE MAKING THEIR OWN TROUBLE
For the second time in this game some rushed passing has put goalkeeper Restes in trouble.
He eventually recovers the situation. However, France fail to clear their lines as the second time of asking and a rushed challenge on Alvarez results in a very dangerous free-kick.
However, Alvarez fires his set piece into the wall.
46’ WE ARE BACK UNDERWAY
We have re-started. Soler has come on in place of Di Cesare as Argentina have made their first change.
HT’ WINNERS TO PLAY EGYPT
Egypt have booked their place in the Olympic Games semi-finals after winning on penalties following a 1-1 draw against Paraguay. They will await the winners of this tie.
HT’ HOW DO I WATCH THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES?
A host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, breaking.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
45+4’ HALF-TIME
France hold a slender lead at the break. The whistle comes at the right time as things were getting heated between Mateta and goalkeeper Rulli.
The referee has a crowd around him as discussions continue down the tunnel.
45+2’ HEARTS IN MOUTH MOMENT
Argentina are having one last flurry in this first half and Garcia sent a vicious ball inside the box which took a wicked deflection before heading for safety.
Moments later Argentina almost play their goalkeeper Rulli into trouble. However, the goalkeeper is quick to deny Truffert.
44’ MATETA FINDS OPENING
Former Crystal Palace team-mates Olise and Mateta combine once again. This time Mateta takes a poor touch under pressure and his cross is clinched out the air by Rulli.
Three minutes of added time.
41′ KONE COULD MISS SEMI-FINAL
The ball is pushed in front of Kone who goes through Medina. The referee decides that’s enough for a booking and he would also miss the semi-final if France qualify.
39’ ARGENTINA START TO MAKE IMPACT
The quick feet of the Argentine forwards are starting to worry the French defence. However, the experience of Lacazette saves them shielding the ball before drawing in a foul.
36’ SIMEONE MISSES A SITTER
Despite losing his footing in the box Metina does brilliantly to flick the ball up perfectly for the head of Simeone. However, the Atletico Madrid man somehow sends his header over when the goal was at his mervy.
33′ MATETA SHOWN YELLOW CARD
Mateta holds his own as he looks for the ball and holds off the Argentinian defender. However, his opponent goes down clutching his head and Mateta is shown a very soft yellow.
29’ RESTES FORCED INTO FLYING SAVE
Fernandez receives the ball almost directly in front of goal but outside the box.
The Argentina man turns his body and then has a vicious effort which forces a fine save from Restes.
Otamendi sends his header from the following corner straight at the French goalkeeper.
26’ OTAMENDI TO THE RESCUE
France are upping the tempo as Truffert sent an inviting cross into the box, only for Otamendi making a vital block. Argentina had to throw bodies at the ball to stop the resulting corner heading goalwards.
23’ ZENON RUNS THROUGH ON GOAL
It’s a rare chance for Argentina after a long ball over the top was perfect for the run of Zenon. However, the forward dragged his effort harmlessly wide of Restes’ goal.
22’ BOOKING FOR DI CESARE
If Argentina do reach the last four they will be without Di Cesare who has been booked for a foul on Lacazette
20’ TWO CHANCES FOR FRANCE
The home nation hit quickly on the break and the ball is crossed for Millot who has his back to goal and despite trying to back-heel Argentina recover.
Moments later Mateta finds his way in on goal only to find goalkeeper Rulli equal to his effort.
16’ KONE CAUSING PROBLEMS AT BOTH ENDS
French midfielder Kone looks calm covering at the back and then dangerous pushing forward in this opening 16 minutes.
Argentina on the break could be dangerous but are currently marked very tightly and have struggled to get a shot away.
13’ PREMIER LEAGUE GREATS MEET IN DUG-OUT
Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is currently getting the better of his counterpart Javier Mascherano who made his name at Liverpool. Mascherano is up against it tonight and will have to find a way of stemming this pressure and turning the tide.
10’ HOME SUPPORT PUSHING FRANCE
Argentina need to find their feet as a vocal support from the French locals are really helping their nation. The Argentina forwards hardly touch the ball before it is snapped away from them.
5’ GOAL! FRANCE 1 (MATETA) ARGENTINA 0
Olise sends a corner into the box and Mateta has got the run on Otamendi at the front post and powerfully heads home.
It’s a really powerful effort by the Crystal Palace man who gave the goalkeeper no chance.
3’ OLISE CLAIMS FOUL
France surge forward and play is opening up in front of Olise who looks to have been bundled off the ball.
However, in perfect free-kick territory the referee waves away his appeals and Argentina recover the ball.
1’ WE ARE UNDERWAY
Lots of ill feeling before kick-off as tensions are already high in the stands between the sides.
The Argentina national anthem was met by a chorus of boos which is rare in the Olympic Games.
The history between these two nations dates back a long time, including the 2022 World Cup final won by Argentina.
A partisan home support for France with just a few groups of Argentine fans.
19:53 – EGYPT EQUALISE LATE IN OTHER SEMI
Ibrahim Adel has scored an equaliser two minutes from time in the other quarter-final to draw level 1-1 with Paraguay.
19:50 – HOW DO I WATCH THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES?
A host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, break dancing.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
19:47 – CAN SPAIN GO ONE BETTER?
Spain are the only side left out of the medallists in Tokyo 2020.
Brazil won their second Olympic Games title in Tokyo after beat Spain 2-1 after extra-time in the final.
Meanwhile, Mexico took bronze in Tokyo after denying Japan 3-1 in the third placed match.
19:38 – PARAGUAY OPEN SCORING IN THIRD SEMI-FINAL
The winner of tonight’s match between France and Argentina will meet either Egypt or Paraguay.
Paraguay took the lead in that tie with 19 minutes remaining courtesy of Diego Gomez.
19:34 – WHO HAS ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR LAST FOUR
Morocco were the first team to qualify for the last four following a comprehensive 4-0 win against the United States of America.
Soufiane Rahimi scored a first half penalty before Ilias Akhomach added a second and Achraf Hakimi put them out of sight.
To add insult to injury El Mehdi Maouhoub netted a late penalty to make it 4-0.
They will meet Spain in the first semi-final after they overcame Japan 3-0.
Fermin Lopez put Spain ahead before VAR ruled out Mao Hosoya’s equaliser for Japan.
Lopez doubled his side’s lead before captain Abel Ruiz sealed their place in the last four.
19:21 – HOW THE TEAMS LINE-UP
France: Restes, Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert, Millot, Kone, Chotard, Olise, Mateta, Lacazette
Subs: Akliouche, Cherki, Doue, Kalimuendo, Locko, Magassa, Nkambadio
Argentina: Rulli, Garcia, Di Cesare, Otamendi, Amione, Zenon, Medina, Fernandez, Almada, Simeone, Alvarez
Subs: Beltran, Brey, Echeverri, Gondou, Hezze, Lujan, Soler
19:09 – HOW DO I WATCH THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES?
A host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, breaking.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
19:02 – A PLACE IN THE LAST FOUR AT STAKE
France face Argentina in the last of the men’s quarter-finals in this Olympic Games tournament.
Tonight’s kick-off at Bordeaux Stadium is 20:00 GMT.
France will come into tonight’s game as favourites after topping Group A after winning all of their matches so far and scoring seven goals in the process.
Argentina could provide tough opposition after winning two of their three matches in Group B, but finished runners-up in the group after losing to Morocco.
The winner of tonight’s game will play either Egypt or Paraguay who kicked off at 18:00 GMT
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
