They failed to win the World Cup, but France was able to redeem itself in Paris 2024, at home, by beating the Argentine team at the Olympic Games, but the athletes and sport were not the only protagonists, there was also a pitched fight at the end of the match.
‘Les Bleus’ beat ‘Albiceleste’ 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the ‘Olympic Games’ in football on August 2 at the Bordeaux stadium, thanks to a goal by Mateta who beat the South American goalkeeper just 5 minutes after the initial whistle.
Why did the fight between Argentina and France start?
After the match, fights broke out between the players of both teams, apparently because French midfielder Enzo Millot made mocking gestures towards his opponents. The players left the field to continue the conflict in the tunnel and in the changing rooms.
After a few minutes, the French returned to the pitch to celebrate their victory and Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev sent off Millot, who will not be able to play in the next round.
“I went to say hello to their coach (Javier Mascherano) and suddenly everything started happening,” said Thierry Henry, the France coach. “I don’t like to see this kind of thing. It wasn’t necessary.”
As the home team celebrated their victory, security and riot police formed a protective shield around the group of Argentine supporters in the stadium.
Henry, a member of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup, lamented the expulsion of Millot, who had been substituted: “We didn’t want to lose a player (through suspension). It makes no sense, he wasn’t even playing.”
This is how the match between Argentina and France was experienced
The game began when ‘Le Bleus’ took the lead from a corner kick headed to the near post, Mateta beat defending captain Nicolás Otamendi to the punch and headed home in the fifth minute.
Argentina, Olympic champion in 2004 and 2008, arrived at Paris 2024 with the support of four world champions and although they tried to tie the game, they did not succeed.
First, midfielder Kevin Zenón had an excellent chance against Restes, but he did not time his cross shot well.
The clearest chance for the ‘albiceleste’ came in the 36th minute with a play that involved several touches and only needed precision in the finish from Giuliano Simeone to score, but with the goal in front of him, he headed over the goal.
Striker Julián Álvarez, one of the world champions who reinforced Argentina, also missed the equaliser at the start of the second half against Restes. The Manchester City player did not score any goals in the Olympic competition.
Michael Olise put France 2-0 up, but it was ruled out for a pre-goal foul called by VAR.
How did the Paris 2024 football semi-finals turn out?
The semi-finals of Paris 2024 in football are ready, France will play for a place in the final against Egypt, who eliminated Paraguay 5-4 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regular and extra time. In the other bracket, Spain beat Japan 3-0 and Morocco 4-0 against the United States.
